This in from the police, in their own words, Ed
Police in Eastern Hampshire are advising residents to check all the facts before buying a second hand bike. The advice comes as we experience an increase in bike thefts in the Portsmouth area particularly.
Eastern Area Crime Prevention Advisor Sarah Cohen said:
“Second hand websites are a great way of buying and selling. The majority of people on these websites are honest, selling genuine goods.
“However, due to a recent spike in thefts in Eastern Hampshire, particularly in Portsmouth, please be mindful of stolen goods being sold through these websites. We’re working with website administrators on some of these sites to look at ways of getting this message across to potential purchasers.
“We would also urge members of the public to be very wary of buying a bike from someone who approaches you on the street or in a pub. It is highly likely that there is a suspicious reason for the person selling a bike in this way. Please report approaches of this kind to us on 101.”
Anyone purchasing a second hand bike should be mindful of the following points:
- Does the seller have the original receipt?
- Is the bicycle stamped with a security stamp and is this traceable to the current owner?
- Does the seller want to meet you away from a home address such as outside a shop or a pub, or on a street corner?
- Does the seller seem genuine, or shifty? Listen to your intuition, if you are unsure – don’t buy! If you are worried about saying no – make an excuse such as you need a relative’s permission first.
- Are they after a quick sale?
- Don’t be afraid to ask what their reason for selling is.
- Is the price realistic for the brand, make and model?
- If you have any suspicions about what is being sold contact the website administrator, and Hampshire Constabulary on 101
For further crime prevention advice please contact your Safer Neighbourhoods team on 101.
