Tagging and Tracking technology deliver success again - May 2010
HI-TECH "capture cycles" positioned in Leeds have snared six unsuspecting thieves.
The Leeds and Leeds Metropolitan University campuses have been identified as the worst hit areas for bike theft with more than a quarter of the 530 bicycles stolen in the north west Leeds division over the last year taken from around these sites.
The RedWeb "capture bikes" follow the policing philosophy already applied through so-called "capture cars and capture houses" which are rigged with hidden cameras and security dye-spraying equipment to nail burglars and car crooks.
Police will not reveal exactly how the capture bikes resulted in the arrests, but confirmed the six bikes were securely locked and were stolen by thieves using tools.
In the latest success, a man was arrested following the theft of a capture bike from Leeds Metropolitan University's Carnegie campus in Headingley.
The Universities provided funding to supply the police with the new capture bikes, which are being deployed throughout both university sites. The Kirkstall branch of cycle retailer Halfords is also backing the project.
University security teams are working closely with police and using their own CCTV systems to help police identify the thieves who target the bikes.
Those arrested have been charged with offences.
Leeds City Council's inner north west area committee provided £13,000 towards the equipment used in the division's capture houses and capture cars, which have seen a number of arrests and convictions for burglary and car crime offences.
Insp Simon Jessup, of the North West Inner Neighbourhood Policing Team, said:
"As the results we have had so far illustrate, the capture bikes are proving to be invaluable in helping us to target bike thieves who wrongly think that the universities' campuses are an easy target."
He stressed that the bike theft strategy proved police could achieve significant successes working with other agencies.
"We are confident it will help to cut the numbers of thefts and victims. I'd like to remind students to secure their bikes properly using locks of the highest standard they can afford."
Steven Exley, head of security at Leeds University , said:
"The work going on and the success by the police is a great achievement and is very much appreciated by the universities."
Paul Hollowbread, security supervisor, Leeds Metropolitan University, said:
"The Leeds Met Campus Services Security Department is fully behind this joint initiative."
