Example of the kind of lock being targeted

Bike thieves are dressing as students and wearing cycle helmets to target cyclists’ prized possessions.

Bicycle theft is one of the main crimes staff patrolling the campus at Newcastle University face – as is the case at many other universities.

Parts of the campus abut onto Jesmond, with thieves making their way through the area with their newly-acquired booty.

Criminals are targeting a certain kind of bike lock that can be cut with bolt cutters in a matter of seconds, according to Shed Coulthard, security manager at Newcastle University.

“We have noticed that thieves try to blend in by dressing as students and wear cycle helmets, so they look like legitimate cyclists,” he said.

“We have found that bikes fitted with D-Locks are least targeted,” Coulthard added.

As a result, the university has given away a number of free D-Locks to students on a first-come, first-serve basis, and have set up a designated team that work closely with the police to tackle the issue.

It’s not just bikes being targeted: Northumbria Police have warned residents to ensure their motorcycles are securely locked as there has been reports recently of motorbikes being stolen by a similar method.

Officers say they have seized dozens of motorcycles linked to crime and disorder and 16 people have been charged with in excess of 26 offences.

Detective Inspector Mal Stratton told JesmondLocal: “One of the biggest complaints we get from our local communities is for anti-social behaviour involving motorcycles.

Is your motorbike locked and secure? Is it parked in a well lit area or secure location off the road? Please take note as we have had reports that motorbikes are being stolen by cutting locks/snapping steering locks and pushing them away! #byker #heaton #jesmond #dontbenext pic.twitter.com/UaVjDNGWnr

— Newcastle East (@NclEastPolice) October 13, 2018

“They can be noisy, intimidating and are often ridden in a dangerous and aggressive manner. This can ruin the lives of those who live in an area where this is a problem.

“Often these 125cc-type motorcycles have been stolen and are linked to other types of criminal activity that has a negative impact on the local community.”

The police have set up a dedicated taskforce to tackle offenders and has urged the public to take pictures and videos, if it is safe to do so, and send them to their detectives.

If you want to send pictures, video or intelligence to the task-force then you can do so by emailing operationbenelli@northumbria.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101 and asking to speak to the Operation Benelli team.