Avon and Somerset community beat officer Nick Boyce and his team will be fitting the tagging devices, free of charge, at a bicycle security event at Bristol University on 11 October 2007 from 8am until 3pm.
The aim of the initiative is to tackle a seasonal rise in cycle theft, which occurs when students return to University. Last year in Bristol (2006/07) 2294 bikes were stolen in Bristol. This was 50 more than the year before.
Now 200 tagging devices are to be given away in a bid to drive down bicycle theft in the city. This 'chip and pin' initiative has been funded by Government Office South West working in partnership with Avon and Somerset Police.
The bikes are tagged with a tiny electronic device. Each tag is pre-programmed with a unique code which links to the owner of the bike. A sticker is then attached to the bike, bicycle and owner details are registered on a database. Once inserted it is impossible for thieves to tamper with this code. If a tagged bike is stolen and recovered the tag can be scanned by police and the lawful owner identified, enabling the police to return the bike.
Pc Nick Boyce said: "If a bike is stolen and then recovered by police it is often difficult for us to identify who that bike belongs to. We are hoping the initiative will raise awareness of cycle theft in Bristol especially amongst the student population."
He also warned: "Whilst students may be tempted to buy a second-hand bike you should make sure that the person selling the bike has some proof of ownership."
Forces around the UK already using tagging devices have recorded exceptional levels of success, driving down pedal cycle theft dramatically in some areas. This 'chip and pin' initiative is being repeated across the South West in South Gloucestershire, Bath and North East Somerset, Bournemouth, Exeter, Cheltenham and Plymouth.
