Scooter theft is becoming a very serious problem. Recently we\’ve reported on Chuck Swonnell\’s Lambretta being stolen (seemingly by \’scooterists\’) and later recovered by friends – professionally stripped within a day. We\’ve also seen shocking CCTV footage of another Lambretta being thrown into the back of a Ford Transit. Daily reports of other scooters being stolen around the country are reported on social media and we often see robbers and street kids using some of our popular models as getaway vehicles in robberies. These thefts will have a knock-on effect on insurance premiums and give us sleepless nights.
Bike theft up 44%
Recent figures have shown that bike theft rose in London by a massive 44% in 2014, that was an extra 2,900 bikes that went missing since 2012. These figures don\’t even take into consideration any vehicles taken during a burglary, they\’re classed separately and when last year\’s figures are released they\’re likely to be higher again. Just to give you an idea of how many popular scooters are going missing, in one week in February this year 30 Vespas vanished in the UK. Most of them will never be seen again.
Lightning often strikes twice
Datatool recently recovered a Piaggio Beverly 350 from Kings Cross in London, thanks to the TrakKING device fitted to it. It was stolen at 15.30, the owner confirmed it was missing and the Metropolitan Police recovered the undamaged scooter at 16.50. The relieved owner took it home and the very same night, at 22.50 it was stolen again. Thankfully the police recovered it again. A spokesman from Datatool said \”Prior to this there was an attempted theft on 4th January. This tells us that if the thieves want a scooter that badly they will persist. Owners need to change their routine, if its been stolen (or attempted) once the likelihood is that they will be back for it…\” More information on tracking devices can be found at: TrakKING we\’ll also be keeping an eye on scooter thefts, security and various ways to protect your pride and joy.
