MAG on Government approach to bike theft: ‘lucky in London, lazy in Britain’


MAG has been fighting motorcycle theft – and challenged the Home Office to do more. The Government’s self-congratulatory approach was condemned by MAG’s Director of Campaigns & Political Engagement, Colin Brown.

Colin says: “I warned Nick Hurd, Minister of State for Policing and the Fire Service, that MAG believes the Home Office is ignoring motorcycle theft as a national issue. He replied: ‘I annouced applying the multi-agency approach we have used to address crime involving motorcycles, mopeds and scooters to see what more can be done to tackle the theft of vehicles nationwide. During the meeting my officials confirmed, to the Motorcycle Action Group’s representatives and others present, that motorcycles, mopeds and scooters are within the scope of this work, and those wishing to participate in or otherwise support this work should contact my officials’.

“So I contacted Graham McNulty, who led the Home Office Task and Finish Group entitled “Better Data.” Mr McNulty responded: ‘key to enforcement [in London] was developing an understanding of the problem through flagging all motorcycle-related crime. This flagging system is not something that is mandated by Home Office Counting Rules for crime and consequently is not replicated across all forces… as NPCC lead I would welcome a clearer dataset with regard to motorcycle crime, improved recording is not something I can compel forces to undertake.’

He concluded ‘I understand your frustrations and appreciate my response will not provide you with the clarity you seek around the national problem of motorcycle theft. I would state however that motorcycle theft will continue to be monitored and raised nationally where appropriate to reduce the harm caused from vehicle crime across the country.’ This annoyed Colin: “There’s no progress here nationally. If they’re not even asking the police to record the crime, there’s little hope they’ll fix it. I’m fighting for more robust, co-ordinated national action.”

So, MAG wants to know your views:

  • Has the bike theft epidemic been solved?
  • Are the police in your area doing enough and do they know the theft levels on their patch?
  • Is funding a legitimate reason for lack of response in your area?
  • Are the courts doing enough and are sentences sufficiently harsh?
  • Are councils and developers providing secure parking facilities?
  • Can the insurance trade help to alleviate the impact on victims of bike theft?
  • Is the industry doing enough to make bikes harder to steal?
  • Are bikers to blame for not using enough locks and chains?
  • Is it really a victimless crime?
  • Should we view current levels as an acceptable level of crime?

Come to our stand D06 in Hall 4 at the NEC Motorcycle Live to let us know what you think.

Or complete the full feedback survey online
https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/THMGS72
for a chance to win a 2019 MAG T-shirt.
Survey closes midday Monday 26th November.

Contact MAG at 01926 844 064 or central-office@mag-uk.org