The South Lakes Neighbourhood Policing Team have been holding free bike marking events in the area to encourage the public to protect their bikes from theft or robbery.
The team have held over 25 events since January and have marked over 550 bikes in the South Lakes area. This initiative has now been rolled out across Cumbria.
During the events, the public have brought along their bikes which have then been marked with a unique QR code which is added to the national Bike Register database.
Marking your bike can act as a significant deterrent to would-be-thieves. Tamper resistant QR labels are applied to the bike and a digital Bike Register account created for the bike owner. This allows the serial number, make, model, colour and photographs to be all be recorded. Even if a thief manages to remove the QR labels the details held on the digital account can be used by Police to return stolen property and prosecute thieves.
The code also makes it easier for police to return stolen bikes to their owners if found as officers can check the Bike Register system to see if a found bike has been reported as lost or stolen. Members of the public can also use a standard smartphone to scan the QR on a bike and identify if a bike has been notified as stolen before they purchase a bike second hand.
Sergeant Suzanne Scott-O’Neill, South Lakes NPT, said: “We are aware of a local issue with bikes having been stolen from garages and outbuildings as well as from public spaces. This initiative is making a big difference in preventing thefts occurring and giving police the ability to identify stolen property which helps us to then prosecute those responsible for the thefts.
“Bikes are often expensive items to buy, which is why it is important to help secure your property by getting your bike marked at one of our events.
"Our first recovery of a stolen bike using this system is proof of just how effectively this system can work.
“We’ve marked over 500 bikes so far, and will be holding even more events in the area, and across the rest of the county over the coming months.
“If you own a bike, please come along to one of our events. It is a simple and quick step and your bike will be registered on a secure national database and better protected against thieves.”