Police Ask Cyclists to Stop and Prove Ownership

Lancashire Police ask cyclists to ‘stop and prove ownership’

Lancashire Police are clamping down on bicycle theft by stopping cyclists and requesting proof of bike ownership. Failure to prove ownership of the bicycle could result in the police seizing the bike. Neighbourhood officers in Preston have already seized 17 bikes. One of the bikes turned out to be stolen and has been returned to its rightful owner.

Providing proof of ownership

If a rider is stopped by the police they will be asked to provide some proof that the bicycle is theirs. If proof of ownership cannot be provided on the spot the bike can be seized and the cyclist will be asked to produce proof of ownership at a police station in order to get the bike back.

Acceptable documentation to prove proof of ownership will include a receipt for the bike purchase, a bank statement showing the purchase payment to a cycling shop, or a household insurance policy showing the bike listed as an insured item. In the absence of such documentation a photograph of the cyclist riding the bike should be sufficient.

Suspicious cyclists targeted

Not all cyclists will be automatically stopped but the police will stop cyclists in any circumstances where the police suspect that the bike is stolen. Police will particularly target any ‘suspicious’ cyclists who appear not to be riding their own bike – for example a man riding a woman’s bike or an adult riding a child’s bike.

Police are also encouraging owners to take steps to avoid bicycle theft which frequently occurs when bikes are left unlocked and unattended outside homes or on the streets.

Added: 12.10.11