110 bikes stolen in Meath last year, Gardai advise cyclists to lock it or lose it!

110 were stolen in the Meath Garda Division in 2020, with 17 more thefts occurring in the first four months of this year.

An Garda Síochána is reminding the public to take extra precautions in keeping their bicycles safe by locking them in the most secure way possible.

It follows the release of new figures which show that since January 2020 up to April 23, 2021, a total of 6,845 bicycles have been stolen across the country.

Included in that figure is 110 in the Meath Garda Division, with 17 more thefts occurring this year.

Despite best efforts, many of the bicycles found by the force cannot be returned to their owners as their serial numbers are not recorded. Of the bicycles stolen since January 2020 only 1 in every 5 bike owners were able to provide their bicycle frame/ serial number when reporting the theft to Gardaí.

Only last year Gardaí smashed a suspected bike theft ring after raiding a container filled with bikes located at an allotment site in Dublin on St Stephen's Day 2019.

The shipping container at at Griffin Allotments, Newcastle, contained a total of 116 suspected stolen pedal cycles, including dozens of high-end racing bikes.

The total value of the bikes seized was estimated to be in the region of at least €250,000.

Gardaí followed up with the find by arresting a man aged in his 40's at a house in the Drumgola Woods area of Cavan Town in August 2020. He was later released without charge while a file was prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions on the matter.

During the course of the search a large amount of financial documentation was recovered. It included, its alleged, a tick list of people owed money for bikes suspected stolen from across Ireland.

In addition, €7,000 in cash and memory sticks containing photographs of suspected stolen property, including bicycles, were also seized.

Following further enquiries into the financial documentation seized, a total of €122,500 was frozen in various bank accounts, and a further €6,000 in cash was located in a follow up search of the residence.

The most recent recorded theft of a bike in the region occurred only last week when a black-coloured Carrera hybrid bicycle was stolen from a house in Coragh View, beside St Aidan's Comprehensive school, in Cootehill.

Of the total 6,845 bicycles stolen across the country last year, An Garda Síochána recovered 2,139, including 30 reunited with their rightful owners in Meath.

Of the bicycles stolen locally since January 2021, just five have been returned.

The resulting message from An Garda Siochana to help owners protect their bikes from theft is that they spend 10% to 20% of the total value of their bike on two locks.

They also ask that when storing a bike at home in a shed or garage, to ensure it is locked to an immovable object or another heavy item.

Also, owners should take a photo of their bike, note the serial number and store it.

In addition An Garda Síochána wishes to remind the public that cyclists are regarded as vulnerable road users and motorists need to exercise care when encountering cyclists, alone or in groups.

"Motorists are advised to give cyclists the space to cycle safely, particularly when overtaking them. Cyclists can be thrown off course by sudden gusts of wind or when having to avoid uneven road surfaces. It is equally important to check your mirrors regularly as a cyclist or other road user could be in your blind spot. Before opening the door of your ensure you check for passing cyclists. Drivers should also park legally and not disrupt bicycle lanes.”

The Minister of State with special responsibility for Law Reform, Youth Justice and Immigration, James Browne, said:

“There are a range of tools available to An Garda Síochána for tackling the issue of bike theft. In addition to the ‘Lock it or Lose it’ and ‘Blue bike’ initiatives, Gardaí will be resuming property marking schemes and the use of so-called ‘bait bicycles’ in areas which have been identified as bike theft hotspots as we emerge from COVID-19. Other responses that will be pursued by Gardaí include include surveillance of known offenders, the monitoring of any offenders’ current bail conditions and where necessary the appropriate action of any breach of their bail with the relevant courts, and proactive policing both overt and covert of hotspot areas.

"In instances where children may be involved in this type of theft, work will also continue under the recently published Youth Justice Strategy 2021-2027 to prevent offending behaviour from occurring and diverting children and young adults who commit a crime away from further offending and involvement with the criminal justice system. The immediate priority within the new Strategy will be to enhance engagement with children and young people who are most at risk of involvement in criminal activity, principally by strengthening the services available through the existing network of 105 Garda Youth Diversion Projects across the State.”