Student cyclists have been warned to increase the security of their bicycles as figures produced by the Safer York Partnership indicate that a dramatic increase in bike thefts is to be expected.
A report conducted by the organisation in conjuction with York City Council has predicted that cycle thefts will rise between 40 and 45 per cent by the end of March.
The report singled out Micklegate, Hull Road and the University campus as popular target areas for thieves. Meanwhile, cheap and flimsy locking systems warned against by the Safer York Partnership, but favoured by many students, make student bikes particularly vulnerable to opportunists.
The report set last year’s crime figures at 1,120 incidents, and originally predicted 1,152 incidents this year. However, it is now expected that by March 2011 this figure will rise to 1,630 incidents, following analysis of the crime situation in the City of York and surrounding areas.
York City Council were unavailable for comment as to how they hoped to lower this figure, and how these crime statistics would affect university students in particular.
Naturally, students have expressed concern over soaring crime rates, as for many cycling is the only cost-efficient way of travelling around the city. Michelle Parker, a second year History and Philosophy student, said she “struggle[d] to get into uni on time without spending loads on a bus fare,” when she had her bike stolen at the end of last term.
Second year Politics student Emily Thommes told Vision that she was worried about the cycle theft statistics because she is “not in a position to buy another bike if mine gets stolen.” She also pointed out how, now that North Yorkshire Police are recommending using two different types of lock, cycle security is becoming increasingly expensive for those on a student budget.
Of course, there are those to whom the results will come as no surprise. “I bought a very cheap bike especially for uni just in case it was stolen” said one Genetics student.
YUSU Welfare Officer Laura Borisovaite reiterated the importance of good security, however.
She said: “Make sure to invest in a good lock and use it! Cheaper high quality locks and lights are available to purchase at the Information Centre as well as at the Bike Doctor event this Thursday.
“You can also get your bike tagged by the North Yorkshire police and get some tips on how to report any crimes or suspicious behaviour to the NYP and Security Services on campus via the emergency internal number 3333.”
The Safer York Partnership are also offering free property marking, making bikes easily identifiable if they are ever stolen. Tagging operations can be found at Hull Road B&Q on January 26t, outside Hull Road Freshways on February 3 and by Badger Hill shops on February 11.