WIRRAL cyclists will have a chance to get their bikes security marked at a series of free events taking place across the borough in the coming weeks.

At the events, police will be on hand to register bikes on the national database, provide security marking and give crime prevention advice on how to lock them securely to deter thieves.

Upcoming bike marking events on Wirral are:

  • Tuesday, June 11: Junction 1 Retail Park, Bidston from 11am-1pm
  • Thursday, June 20: Sainsbury’s supermarket, Prenton from 1pm–3pm
  • Tuesday, June 25: Outside the Bar and Terrace, Oxton from 3pm–5pm

July

  • Thursday, July 4: Tesco supermarket in Heswall from 3pm–5pm
  • Thursday, July 11: Village Green in Thornton Hough from 12pm–2pm
  • Monday, July 15: Tesco supermarket, Bebington Road, Rock Ferry from 5pm–7pm
  • Thursday, July 25: Halfords, Croft Retail Park, Bromborough from 11am–1pm
  • Tuesday July 30: Conway Street bus station, Birkenhead from 4pm-6pm

August

  • Wednesday, August 7: Café in Birkenhead Park from 11am–1pm
  • Friday, August 16: Village Green, Thornton Hough from 4pm-6pm
  • Friday, August 23: Junction 1 Retail Park, Bidston from 5pm–7pm

Tuesday, August 27: Bebington Police Station, Civic Way from 10.30am–2pm Some dates may be subject to change and more dates are being added weekly. Follow Merseyside Police’s social media channels for updates and upcoming bike marking events near you.

Merseyside Police has worked with Bike Register - the UK’s national bike marking and registration scheme - for several years but has strengthened this partnership over the last year to tackle theft and robbery offences involving high-value bikes.

Superintendent Phil Mullally said: "We have made a number of arrests and positive seizures of e-bikes in the past month and will continue to patrol open spaces and provide a visible presence as we head into summer.

"Innocent people who use bikes and e-bikes are often targeted and fall victim to robberies at the hands of people who are intent to use them to assist their criminal activity.

"We understand how distressing it is to be a victim of this type of crime and the impact it can have.

"We are working hard to reduce this through targeted patrols to disrupt and arrest offenders and hosting free marking events to help bike owners secure their property.

"Using Bike Register helps us to reduce cycle theft, identify stolen bikes and return recovered bikes to their rightful owners.

"If you own a bike or e-bike, please come along to one of our upcoming events, within a few minutes your bike will be registered and better protected.”

Anyone with any information about anti-social behaviour or the illegal use of bikes is asked to call Merseyside Police on 101, or by Direct Message @MerPolCC or call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

For more practical tips on how to protect your bike from theft, visit: Protect your bike from theft | Merseyside Police