The Lib Dem Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner Candidate has backed a ‘Fight Motorcycle Theft’ pledge in the face of shocking statistics that show how badly motorcycle owners suffer at the hands of criminals.
Findings in a report by The Motorcycle Action Group (MAG) show that while Motorcycles account for just 3% of registered vehicles they make up 25% of all reported vehicle theft nationally.
The Lib Dem Candidate, Tim Bearder, said: “Motorbikes offer a responsible, efficient and environmentally friendlier alternative to single occupancy motorcars and in many cases they are much loved and treasured by their owners.
“It is a disgrace that this community, who should be supported and encouraged are being forced to pay higher insurance premiums and suffer the worry and inconvenience of having their vehicle stolen with such alarming frequency.”
MAG have identified over 53 thousand registered motorcycles in the Thames Valley police force area and are encouraging all riders to exercise their right to vote in the elections on 2nd May with a focus on candidates who have signed their Fight Motorcycle Theft Pledge .
The pledge says:
Today, by making the Fight Motorcycle Theft Pledge, I am sending a clear message to motorcycle thieves: “We are coming for you”.
1. I will work to halve motorcycle theft in my jurisdictional area by the end of my four-year term in office.
2. I will work for the victims – motorcyclists – to hold the Chief Constable to account for the performance of the operational police response, requiring regular published progress reports toward my goal of halving motorcycle theft by 2028.
3. I will proactively work with the victims – motorcyclists – to ensure that a local multi-agency approach to creating a meaningful prevention strategy is adopted, including riders’ groups, police, local authorities, crown prosecution service, and the judicial system.
Tim Bearder said: “I am happy to sign that pledge and I hope that after more than a decade of policing priorities controlled by the Conservatives all residents in the Thames Valley would be willing to consider a change of direction and vote Lib Dem.”
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