Zero motorcycles stolen in Liverpool during TT weekend for second year in a row

Operation Needle has successfully welcomed around 7,000 motorcyclists to the Liverpool city centre and ensured that no motorcycles were reported stolen as they travelled through Liverpool city centre before taking the ferry to the Isle of Man TT Races.

It is the second year in a row that the annual operation has seen no motorcycle thefts from the city centre during Operation Needle which focusses on protecting visiting and local motorcyclists and tackling vehicle crime during the busy TT travel period.  

The focus of Op Needle is to prevent theft of and from motorcycles, reassure motorcyclists and visitors to Liverpool City Centre, identify, disrupt and find those involved in the theft of and from motorcycles.  

The hard work from officers and partnership working demonstrates the success of the proactive approach taken to safeguard visitors and local communities in response to the increased volume of motorcyclists passing through the city.

Sergeant Craig Winstanley, Op Needle, said:

“It is great news that no motorcycles were reported stolen in Liverpool city centre for the second year running under Operation Needle. It is the right result for all the hard work the team put in to making sure motorcyclists visiting the city, and motorcyclists who also live or work here, felt safe and were supported by our officers with advice and equipment to help secure their motorcycles.

“I would like to say thank you to all our partners – Liverpool BID, National Vehicle Crime Reduction Partnership, Motorcycle Action Group Foundation, Liverpool City Council, Liverpool Ports Police, Safer Group, SelectaDNA and all the local hotels who supported us.  This partnership approach enabled us to use funding to successfully implement crime prevention measures including Safer Pods which housed CCTV systems, throttle locks, bike chains and SelectaDNA marking kits which all helped in the rollout and co-ordination of the operation.”

As part of Op Needle we worked closely with Lancashire Police and with the port of Heysham to share information and intelligence to target criminals operating between the two ports.

Officers were able to give good crime prevention advice along with the use of free chains, locks and DNA marking kits to riders who often stay overnight in the city before and after travelling to the Isle of Man during the two-week motorcycle festival from 25 May until 6 June. Extra patrols and a visible police presence helped riders feel safe and secure while they enjoyed this historic and welcoming city.

Michelle Nichols, spokesperson for the National Vehicle Crime Reduction Partnership, said:

“The result achieved through Operation Needle is something everyone involved should be proud of. Welcoming thousands of motorcyclists through Liverpool during one of the busiest periods of the year and recording no motorcycle thefts in the city centre for a second consecutive year is a fantastic outcome.

“This is exactly the sort of proactive initiative the NVCRP is looking to support and fund. It demonstrates what can be achieved through effective partnership working, visible policing and practical crime prevention measures that helped protect riders throughout their journey.”

During the operation officers patrolled areas where motorcycles were stored and checked they were secure, offering advice and equipment to keep them safe, with heavy duty bike chains distributed around local hotels to keep motorcycles secured together to make them more difficult to take, along with throttle locks which were distributed at hotels and the Ferry Terminal.

Safer Pods were successfully used at locations across the city to ensure motorcycles were monitored with CCTV cameras and a SelectaDNA event was held at Mann Island where advice and free kits were given out which help identify stolen motorcycles so that they can be returned to their owners.

Away from the area covered by Op Needle there were two motorcycle thefts from Aigburth Road and one other motorcycle theft in Fairfield.

Next year it is hoped Op Needle will be extended to areas outside the city centre with the appropriate funding in place to tackle vehicle crime in other areas.

Merseyside Police recommends you always follow these top tips for keeping your motorcycle safe:

• Use a good quality lock, or two
• Always park in a well-lit area
• If riding in a group – lock your bikes up together
• Don’t park in the same place – vary your parking location
• Consider using a forensic marking system
• Look out for other bikers – if you see someone trying to steal a bike, don’t try to stop    them, call 999
• If you see any suspicious activity around a bike, call 101
• If you have any information about motorcycle thefts or crime, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 

Anyone with information on bike theft is asked to speak to officers, message @MerPolCC, call 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Get more on the Merseyside Police website.

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