Police Deploy Decoy Bikes to Combat Theft

Law enforcement agencies are deploying what they term “scarecrow” bikes with the aim of discouraging criminal activity. The Welwyn Hatfield neighbourhood policing team has strategically positioned these brightly-coloured bicycles outside The Galleria shopping centre in Hatfield, as well as near a supermarket and a local swimming pool. PCSO Mark Randall, from Hertfordshire Police, stated, “We want the bikes to be a visible reminder to cyclists to ensure their bikes are secure.” Furthermore, these bikes feature notices warning potential thieves that officers are patrolling the vicinity. PCSO Randall also provided guidance for cyclists. He advised: “A top tip is to double lock it. Using two locks slows thieves down and makes your bike less of a target.” He added, “We recommend using two quality locks and at least one should be a D-lock. “Thieves are less likely to carry multiple tools, so please use two different types of lock if possible.” Information regarding Beds, Herts and Bucks news is accessible on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram, and X. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC bears no responsibility for the content of external sites. Details regarding their approach to external linking are available.