More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
Bike owners are being urged to protect their vehicles as thieves continue to target people across the county.
Figures obtained by KentOnline reveal the most at-risk location to own a motorbike, moped or scooter is the Medway Towns, with 233 reported thefts over a two-year period.
The second area most targeted by thieves was Thanet with 183 reported thefts, with Swale sitting in third with 128.
The data from Kent Police was taken from the period between 24 March 2018 and 23 March 2020.
In contrast, the least-hit area for motorbike thefts in the county was Tunbridge Wells with just 17 reported thefts during the two-year period, followed by Tonbridge and Malling with 41.
With owners increasingly concerned about the safety of their vehicles, some members of the biking community have resorted to their own means of combatting the problem.
Biker Biker is a national community of bikers who aim to help reduce the thefts by offering a support network to people who find themselves targeted, including working with the police to recover stolen bikes.
Lee, who runs the Biker Biker Kent group, does not want to be identified in case he ends up being targeted by thieves.
He said: "Some of us live within the areas and some of us have the thieves a few doors down from us."
Lee and the other volunteers keep a look out for bikes in the area and notify police to see if the vehicle has been reported stolen.
High numbers of thefts in places in Thanet have prompted the community to organise a new group of volunteers in the area.
Despite a reduction in crime as the county contines to live in lockdown, Lee is bracing himself for an increase in thefts once the coronavirus pandemic eases.
"Some of us live within the areas and some of us have the thieves a few doors down from us..."
He said: "I've said to the Kent members on my team that once the lockdown is over we’re going to get flooded with information and I’m going to need every one of you out looking and being proactive.
"I guarantee once this lockdown is over those numbers will be doubled - if they’re all on lockdown and self isolating, a lot of bikers aren’t getting out to check their bikes regularly."
The group said their aim is to eventually work closer with Kent Police to make the role of protecting bike owners much easier.
Chief Insp Lara Connor said: "Kent Police takes a proactive approach to targeting, arresting and seeking the prosecution of anyone who steals mopeds or motorbikes.
"We received 467 reported thefts of motorbikes, scooters and mopeds between 2019 and 2020 in Kent, which is actually around 30% lower than the previous year.
"Whilst it is only natural to see higher numbers reported in the larger Kent towns, one theft is one too many and our officers continue to proactively look to identify the people responsible for such crimes.
"Kent Police carries out operations across the county to target thieves and regularly offers crime prevention advice to prevent further victims.
She added: "Officers within our community policing teams work with partner agencies and local residents to crack down on anyone using suspected stolen bikes too, often riding them anti-socially in our towns and countryside.
Kent Police recommend motorbike, moped and scooter owners take extra precautions to prevent theft of their vehicles, such as trackers and chains.
But some owners have still found themselves being targeted despite following the advice.
Robert Griggs, of High Street, Ramsgate, was visiting a friend in Cliftonville when two people stole his motorbike.
He said: "I got a notification on my tracker, so I went out to check because the wind can set it off.
"When I went back inside they came back, pushed the bike to a field and tried to hotwire it."
Although on this occasion the thieves were unable to successfully make off with the bike, the damage cost Mr Griggs £600.
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