The Motorcycle Action Group (MAG) is calling on candidates for Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) roles to make a pledge to tackle motorcycle theft. MAG has contacted every PCC candidate for Hertfordshire and West Mercia following worrying revelations from Freedom of Information (FOI) requests.
MAG has highlighted the positive effect that COVID has had on motorcycle theft in 2020. However, two particular police force areas appear to have bucked the trend in a big way.
MAG is collating national figures by police force area. Hertfordshire Police’s FOI response to MAG showed a 50% increase from 134 to 201 in 2020. This was closely followed by West Mercia’s response, which shows a 42% increase from 103 to 146.
MAG’s Director of Campaigns & Political Engagement, Colin Brown, said:
“We still have a few responses to come back, but Hertfordshire and West Mercia’s responses are sticking out like a sore thumb. Out of 34 responses so far only three have shown an increase. When the national trend is significantly down we have to ask why Hertfordshire and West Mercia have such ominous increases.”
MAG has written directly to all seven candidates for Hertfordshire and West Mercia. The request is that each candidate pledges to review motorcycle theft in their area and to work with MAG to tackle the issue.
Colin said:
“Naturally we would hope that all PCCs will commit to work with us on tackling motorcycle theft. The figures for Hertfordshire and West Mercia make them of particular concern. London remains the worst affected area by far, but we cannot ignore such worrying figures coming from these two force areas. We will publish any responses we receive from the candidates no later than Monday 3rd May so that voters can see where the candidates stand on this matter.”