Spring and Summer bring an increase in the theft of bicycles. Most bicycle theft occur under the cover of darkness and happen in all areas of the city.
Police investigations are often hampered by the fact that most bike owners don't record the model and serial number of their bike.
Bicycles are often recovered weeks or months after the theft and without the model and serial number owners cannot be identified.
In the spirit of crime prevention and to assist investigators police recommend that residents lock up their bicycles and record model and serial numbers for future reference.
Crime Stoppers is partnering with MicrodotDNA Technology Canada to offer a proven crime prevention strategy called “Operation Hands Off” to reduce bike theft through their National Bike Registry Kit.
Operation Hands Off aligns with the ideals of Crime Stoppers in that it engages the community right from bike owners to police, in preventing these crimes. By working together we can prevent bike theft, help apprehend criminals and help the victims.
The Operation Hands Off National Bike Registry Kit consists of a unique decal, almost impossible to remove, that carries a code number. This code number is registered along with the bicycle serial number and entered into an online database that is accessible by police right across the country. If the decal is removed the police can also search the database using the bicycle’s serial number.
Not only does this program deter thieves from stealing the bike but it will also help solve one of the biggest problems in bike theft – the inability to match a stolen bike with its owner. Although police recover thousands of bikes every year, the vast majority go unclaimed because there is no way to identify the owner. The Greater Sudbury Police Service in the past has had up to 400 bicycles featured in their auction as a result of being unable to determine the owners.
To purchase your kit click on the link below.
If you have any information about any serious crime,
please call Crime Stoppers.
If your tip leads to an arrest or recovery of property or narcotics
you may be eligible for a cash reward.
You will never have to give your name or testify in court and Crime Stoppers doesn’t have call display or call trace.
Call Crime Stoppers locally at
675-8477 (TIPS) or toll free at 1-800-222-TIPS
or
Click here to use our secure on line form
or
Text TIP267 and your message to CRIMES (274637)