National Express Cycle Watch

National Express Group’s National Express, the train operator for London and the East of England – continues with its major initiative to reduce cycle theft with an event at Billericay station on Wednesday 28th November from 16.00 to 19.00. The National Express Cycle Watch initiative is a bid to raise awareness of what cyclists can do to protect their bicycles. The Billericay event follows on from successful events held recently at Chelmsford, Wickford and Rayleigh stations.

National Express has been working closely with the British Transport Police, local authorities and Home Office Police Forces to reduce cycle theft at their stations. The Cycle Watch initiative is aimed at highlighting simple, but effective methods by which cyclists can protect their property.

At the event National Express will be giving away free transponders on a ‘first come first served’ basis to ticket holders. Fitting a bicycle with a transponder means it is easily identifiable, thereby acting as a deterrent to would-be thieves. The electronic tags are hidden in the frame of the bicycle and have a unique code number. The code number, the bicycle and owner details are registered on a 24 hour database. The code can be read with a scanner carried by the police, who can then check the database to enable the lawful ownership of the bicycle to be confirmed. In addition National Express will also be handing out ‘cycle passports’ on which customers can record key information about their bicycles.

Chief Inspector Nicki Watson, British Transport Police (BTP) said:

“Tackling cycle crime is a key priority for BTP. Cycle theft is a significant issue and has become more prominent as the volume of rail passengers that cycle to and from railway stations increases. We have a number of crime prevention methods in place to assist cycle owners protect themselves from theft. In addition, we regularly conduct high visibility patrols and work in partnership with National Express to constantly explore ways in which stations can be made even safer that they already are. To this end we welcome this investment from National Express.”

BTP officers and crime reduction officers will be present offering crime prevention advice to cyclists on the day.

BTPs top tips for protecting your bike are:

·Fitting your bike with a ‘transponder’. Registering the details with them by completing the form provided. Without this, the bike can never be traced back to the owner.

·Register the bike on www.immobilise.co.uk, a web-based property site. This is similar to using a ‘transponder’, whereby if a bike is recovered in the hands of a thief, police can perform checks and reunite it with their rightful owner.

·Ensure that two solid locks are used to secure the bike.

·Take a photograph and keep details of the cycle such as the frame number, make, model and colour with the photograph.

·Report any incidents on the railways by calling BTP on Freefone 0800 40 50 40 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Andy Sanders National Express’s Head of Safety commented:

“National Express has been working closely with the British Transport Police and the Essex Police regarding how best we can reduce cycle theft at our stations. The ‘Cycle Watch’ events have evolved out of this consultation and form part of our commitment to reducing cycle theft at our stations. We recently held events at Chelmsford, Wickford and Rayleigh stations and feedback from the general public has been really good. It is hoped that the ‘Cycle Watch’ event at Billericay station will raise awareness still further of how best cyclists can protect their bicycles. Security is a priority for National Express.”