Just to add some meet and facts to my previous comments, here is some extra information.
Motorcycle theft - big issue in the early 90's
Datatag (part of Yamaha) launched and was mandated by NU (Norwich Union- now Aviva)
New insurers entered the market and a discount of 10% was offered rather than mandating Datatag
Biggest buyer of Datatag were other manufacturers including Suzuki and Honda (this did not sit well for obvious reasons, it's like us (KTM) buying security off Trek)
Each manufacturer looked at alternatives -Honda went with Smar****er, Suzuki with alphadot etc
At the same time Car crime had reduced significantly due to immobilisation, so Thatcham and the insurance industry pushed immobilisation for motorcycles.
Market responded, but thefts were unaffected as they bikes were lifted into vans etc and dismantled and sold as 3d parts catalogues.
Thefts began to increase as Datatag was not as prevalent and other solutions were not as effective and nor provided police with a simple solution.
Industry started to see a shrinking market and much was blamed because the theft element.
Industry needed 1 supplier with 1 database, tender went out and Datatag won. Initial results are very positive.
Cycle Theft sits around 10% of new cycles sold per annum.
We were with Derbyshire police earlier this week, another yard of stolen cycles, but no known keeper or owner.
Dealers often have the opinion (and this is repeated in many markets) another stolen, another one sold.....Wrong...one stolen means that is fulfilling a requirement elsewhere within the buying chain of a new cycle. If as a consumer you have a cycle stolen, it is extremely upsetting, have two or three and your choice of actions are .....ride a bike that is so unattractive that no one will steal (example A commuter sprayed his bike pink...terrible job, looks a mess....but very unlikely to be stolen, example B...leave cycling and look at another hobby or another form of transport.) either one is not good for the cycle industry or for the dealer.
Datatag ...will it stop theft.....YES for the professionals, as the risk is just too high and will make a very easy case for the prosecution and police. Will it stop the drug addict wanting their next fix...probably not....We don't claim that it is the silver bullet, but part of an holistic approach to cycle security.
Locks are recommended, but heavy ones are only used at home, because they are heavy...how effect are locks
Police investigate how easy it is to steal a bike - YouTube
So the lock voucher proposed doesn't assist away from home thefts and certainly doesn't assist recovery.
Will Datatag aid recovery.....YES...if it's registered and marked then the police can access our 24/7 call centre and confirm the current registered keeper and we will assist in repatriation
One example below.. of many
DATATAG RECOVERY OF A BICYCLE
Stolen in Nottingham, for sale in West Mercia!
"On Friday 6th July 2012, Rachel Williams had her Datatagged Trek Mountain bike, stolen
from Nottingham town centre. Valued at £600+. The investigating officer was from,
Nottinghamshire Police.
Upon reporting it to the Datatag 24/7call centre, she was advised to keep an eye on Ebay, in case it
should turn up. On Tuesday 10th July 2012, Rachel Williams rang the Datatag call centre to report
she had seen a Bike she believed was hers for sale on Ebay with a buy it now price of £220. She
felt that although she had informed the Police, they may not be able to help in a timely manner.
The call centre passed the enquiry to our Police Liaison officer Vince Wise. He spoke directly with
Ms Williams, and a more detailed description was taken of her bike, with regard to unique features,
such as her run flat tyres, replacement pedals, non standard saddle, unusual full length mud
guards and a rear carrier designed to be used with panniers.
Her description was detailed enough to convince Vince Wise that it was her cycle.
Contact with the investigating officer Steven Farrell was made to offer assistance. Nottinghamshire Police confirmed they had submitted the request to Ebay
to identify the account holder.
On Thursday 12th July 2012, with no response from the Ebay Fraud team, and with Police support, contact was made with the seller who identified himself
and gave an address in West Mercia. He was duly visited at his home address by Datatag staff, who had been attending another meeting nearby. The seller,
who was a trader stated he purchased part exchanges from another trader in Leicestershire. Examination of the cycle showed it was the one reported stolen.
The Datatag markings were still present on the frame and the trader agreed to the cycle being returned to the rightful owner.
The bike was later returned by Dave Luscombe of Datatag to a very grateful Rachel
Hope this helps a bit.
Any questions, feel free to ask.
