Hamilton Police launch online bike registry and bait program to crack down on thefts
Published April 7, 2021 at 8:35 am
Hamilton Police have launched a free online registry for local bicycle owners that will help reunite recovered stolen bicycles with their rightful owners.
According to police, on average, 600 bicycles are stolen in Hamilton every year, and only four per cent are recovered.
“Only 20 per cent of recovered bicycles are returned to their owner because police often have a hard time matching the bicycle to its owner,” a press release issued Tuesday (April 6) said.
In addition to the new online bike registry, Hamilton Police have also implemented a Bike Bait program.
Last year, police ran the bait program in parts of the city that had been designated as ‘high-bicycle-theft areas,’ and during the program, the bait bike was stolen on ‘average once every 20 hours and 36 minutes of deployment.’
The program also led to the arrest of 10 people and resulted in more than 30 charges being laid.
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“Hamilton Police are determined to change those numbers through our online bike registry and our bike bait program,” said Superintendent Dave Hennick in the release.
“Registering a bike through our new online bike registry is one way to protect your property.”
Bicycle owners are also being encouraged to use a good-quality locking device to help deter thieves and file a police report if their bicycle is stolen.
For more information on how to register a bike or learn more about the bike registry program, visit the Hamilton Police website.
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