Sussex Police are encouraging moped and motorbike riders to protect their vehicles from would-be thieves.

The campaign, advises riders to ‘lock, chain and cover your bike’, whenever they are parked.

Moped and motorbike thefts saw a rise in Sussex during last summer and towards the end of 2018, with various operations being put into action to tackle this. The new advice campaign aims to maintain the recent fall in thefts and to support the work that police have already carried out.

Posters will be placed in areas where moped and motorbike thieves are known to operate, as well as bike parks and other areas parking areas.

Advice includes locking your bike in order to make it harder to steal. A chain is another deterrent, making it impossible to wheel away from the parking area. Covering your bike hides what make and model it is, as well as adding another obstacle to would-be thieves. Police say that owners should also think about parking their bike in well-lit areas and choose a location which has CCTV if possible.

Mopeds and motorbikes are frequently stolen in Sussex in order to sell them on or for joy-riding. Unlike recent occurrences in London, it is unlikely the stolen vehicles would be used for ‘moped-enabled crime’, where they are taken in order to carry out a further crime such as robbery, but that does not mean it will not happen.

Inspector Brian McCarthy said: “We are appealing to all riders in Sussex to be vigilant in keeping their vehicles safe whenever they are out on the road. You may be parking for five minutes, or just leaving your vehicle while you run an errand, but that’s all that is needed for thieves to take advantage of an unlocked moped or motorbike.

“Don’t give them the opportunity they are looking for. Your vehicle is worth more than a £10 bike lock, so invest now and keep your property safe.”

This campaign will be run across the county starting in April, and continuing throughout the summer. For more information on how to protect mopeds and motorbikes, please visit our website