Police are warning bike owners to take extra precautions to ensure their bicycles are secured following a recent rise in bike thefts in Alice Springs.
Acting Sergeant Janelle Snigg of the Property Crime Reduction Unit said nine bicycles had been reported stolen in Alice Springs since the beginning of November.
"That's certainly a lot more than normal, and while they don't appear to be related, it does appear in many cases that they are being stolen by opportunistic thieves. "
On Monday night a black and silver Kuwahara bike with yellow lettering on the tyres and a black and silver seat was stolen from the Alice Springs Library. Overnight on Thursday November 5 thieves stole a black and silver Mongoose BMX racer from a Chalmers Street house. Then on Thursday November 12 thives stole a dark blue road bike from a Johannsen Street premises, as well as a maroon Bushmaster mountain bike from outside the Todd Tavern.
A black Avanti mountain bike was stolen from a home in Andrews Court sometime during the week beginning November 7. Overnight on Friday 13 two bikes were stolen from an Undoolya Road premises - a Repco red and yellow mountain bike and a women's silver Avanti hybrid mountain/racer bike.
Overnight on Saturday November 14 a 28" Huffy mountain bike with a green speckled black frame was stolen from the Lasseters Casino car park.
Then on Monday November 16 between midday and 12.45pm a woman's Colorado silver and pink cruiser bike was stolen from the Yeperenye car park. The bike was chained to a bike stand.
"In many cases the bicycles were left unsecured and in plain sight," A/Sgt Snigg said.
" Police are appealing to owners to take the precaution of leaving bikes out of sight at the rear of premises when they take them home, and try to leave them in a busy well lit area when in the CBD. Offenders are much less likely to take a pair of bolt-cutters to a bike chain in areas where there is heavy traffic and where it's highly visible to the public."
Anyone who has had their bike stolen may view the recovered bicycles stored in the Police Compound every Wednesday between 4pm and 4.45pm.
"You must have made an official report to police, and received a PROMIS number before viewing the bikes," A/Sgt Snigg said.
"You must also be able to give an accurate description of your bike to the property officer before making any claims.
" Members of the public are also encouraged to report bike thefts to police as soon as possible and anyone noticing suspicious activity should phone police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
"We also encourage bike owners to contact our Crime Prevention Unit to arrange for their bicycles to be engraved with a security code free of charge."
Media contact:
Theresa Kuilboer
8951 8825
