Bikers Against Thieves (Part 2)

So again members of the South Tyneside Scooter club joined others from the community and particiapted in the second protest ride to highlight and try and get some action from the authorities on the rise in thefts, attacks and intimidating behaviour from the face covered skip rats running riot on stolen kit and electrice bikes.

The initiave is organised by a north east group with the sole aim to highlight and push the local police forces into being more pro-active in fighting the growing problem of bike crime. Members of our own club have had Scooters stolen, have been chased by groups of unisured scummers and have seen them on their CCTV close to or outside their homes.

So today along with other scooter clubs and the biker community the second protest ride passed through Chester-le-street, Wrekenton, Team Valley over the Tyne bridge through Newcastle to Westgate Road then onto Whiltley bay, Cramlington and Blyth.

over 140 bikes in total, attended with a good turn out by the scooter community. There will be more events organised and we will continue to support this push for change to help us all. Many thanks to the Marshalls who worked hard to keep the procession together and to all the riders who took part, lets continue to grow this event until something gets done.

To round off this blog here are a few things we can all do to try to protect our property: use multiple lock types, vehicle trackers, riding in groups, not recording or posting photos where your home location can be identified, checking you are not being followed to and from home, carry self defence spray (legal options), decent locks on sheds and use locks while in storage and report all and any incidents as this will add to the crime figures and will again apply pressure from a different angle.

When reporting incidents please make it clear what offence took place: Bike Theft - stolen from place of work our outside, Burglary - Stolen from shed or garage, Robbery - stolen from you in your possession, Armed robbery - If you are threatened with a weapon and taken from your possession.

If you have any other sugestions that are not likely to get you in bother please add them into the comments section for others and lastly below is from the Gov.uk website on the rules of self defence (UK) if necessary (hopefully not)

The current law on the use of force in self defence

1. The current law permits people to defend themselves or others, to prevent crime or to protect property using force that was reasonable in the circumstances as they believed them to be. What constitutes `reasonable force' will depend upon the circumstances of each case and is a matter for the courts to decide. The courts have held that if a person uses only such force as he or she honestly and instinctively believed was necessary in self defence, then that would be strong evidence that only reasonable defensive action had been taken.

Be safe and ride safe.