Motorcycle theft in South Africa is an escalating phenomenon, and certainly a major concern for local residents who own motorcycles.
In the early hours of Sunday, 28 February a motorcycle was stolen by four intruders who gained entry into a property on Groendoring Avenue in Weltevreden Park through the front gate.
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According to the Honeydew CPF Sector 2, criminals are active in the area and residents are urged to take extra caution.
Residents are further advised to ensure that valuables are out of sight from the street where possible and to check with security companies if they have gate-tampering alarms.
Here are a few basic but helpful tips to avoid becoming a victim of motorcycle theft:
• Lock the ignition and remove the key. Most bike thefts occur when the ignition is shut off, but not locked.
• Lock the forks or disc brakes with locks that have large, brightly coloured tags. If travelling with other riders, lock motorcycles together when not in use.
• If riding alone, lock your bike to a secure, stationary object that can’t be easily dismantled, such as a light pole, and add an audible alarm to your motorcycle.
• When travelling and spending the night, for example at a hotel, locate an outdoor security camera and park your bike in the camera’s view. If this is not possible, park your bike close to your room.
• When parking at a public event, check your motorcycle periodically, especially immediately after leaving it, to make sure there are no suspicious individuals lurking about.
• If parking in a garage, block your bike with a car, close the garage door and make sure it is locked.
• Don’t store your registration papers in your bike’s storage compartment, tank bag or saddlebag. The safest place for these is at home.
