Mon, 2014-11-17

Inspector Robert Cardwell, Officer in Charge of the Roads Policing Unit - The Bermuda Police Service continues to regularly record incidents where motorcycles are reported to have been ‘taken without the owner’s consent’ – referred to as TWOC.

To date there have been 728 such reports compared to 599 at the same time last year.

The rising rate of motorcycle theft is disproportionate to other recorded crimes which are trending down. The motorcycles most frequently subject of these reports are the Honda Scoopy, Symax HD125 and the Yamaha Nouvo. Owners of these motorcycle types are alerted that these motorcycles are being targeted for theft by motorcycle thieves and as such are strongly encouraged to make use of secondary locks at all times which is the strongest deterrent of theft.

The most common area where motorcycles are ‘taken without the owner’s consent’ is in the City of Hamilton from virtually every motorcycle parking area. Whilst many of these areas are covered by CCTV, identification of thieves is made difficult by the thieves themselves being aware CCTV is recording them and they disguise themselves or cover their faces with dark visor helmets.

All motorcycle owners are encouraged to take steps to safeguard their motorcycles.  Firstly, ensure and double check that you have not left the keys in the ignition, the rear lock-box or seat lock. Always use a secondary lock in addition to the handlebar lock.

During the hours of darkness motorcycles should be parked in a well-lit area.

Motorcycles are stolen for a number of reasons. This includes, to have the engine and frame numbers re-stamped and sold on, to be stripped for parts, joy riding or to commit another crime.

To reverse the rising rate of motorcycle theft the Roads Policing Unit has realigned resources within the Unit to concentrate on this area of crime. In the short time of operation a number of stolen motorcycles have been recovered and arrests have been made.

Additionally the entire police service have been alerted to the types and models of motorcycles being stolen and will be targeting riders of these motorcycles so that frame and engine numbers can be checked and validated.

In some instances stolen motorcycles are being recovered from persons who have legitimately purchased them in responding to a ‘motorcycle for sale’ advertisement.

Commonly, where stolen motorcycles are being sold to an unwitting buyer, these motorcycles have frame and engine numbers that have been re-stamped.  Re-stamping is a technique used by motorcycle thieves to hide the fact that the motorcycle is in fact stolen.

Before purchasing a motorcycle that has been advertised for sale, members of the public are encouraged to be very cautious and ensure that what they are purchasing is in fact a legitimate purchase. They should have all the details of the person selling the motorcycle beyond a signature on a bill of sale. This would include a full name, address, date of birth and contact numbers of the seller.

A purchaser should inspect the frame and engine numbers on the motorcycle. In a factory stamp the numbers and letters are in perfect alignment and each letter and number is consistent in appearance. If in doubt the intended purchaser should make contact with either the police service or the Department of Transportation to verify engine and frame numbers with a registration plate.

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