It is reckoned that some 26,000 motorcycles are stolen each year in the UK and most of them are less than three years old. These are often stripped and rebuilt around genuine frames. Recovery rates are low, as the police unable to prove ownership beyond doubt. Hence some motorcycle manufacturers have brought in a security and registration scheme to combat this problem
The Motorcycle Industry Association (MCI) has launched a security marking scheme called the MASTER Security Scheme. The launch on July 24 was with Metropolitan Police Deputy Commissioner Craig Mackey QPM and Lord Henley, Home Office Minister for Crime Prevention, at New Scotland Yard.
The authorities point to an estimated 43 per cent of all insurance total loss payouts are due to theft and added to this the figure from the Motorcycle Crime Reduction Group suggest that 40pc of victims of motorcycle theft leave the market.
The scheme is powered by Datatag ID Ltd; a supplier of security marking products. New motorcycles and scooters will be marked, tagged, registered and recorded. It’s supported by motorcycle manufacturers; BMW, Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Triumph and Yamaha are the early adopters.
The aim – to reduce motorcycle crime over time, to restore consumer confidence and to keep Britain’s bikers riding. For more visit the Datatag website.
