Motorcyclists in Dorset are being offered discounted locks for their bikes as part of an anti-theft scheme.

Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), David Sidwick, has once again joined forces with the DocBike charity to offer alarmed disc locks to motorbike owners in Dorset.

The scheme aims to reduce motorbike, moped and scooter thefts by providing the opportunity for motorcycle owners in the county to purchase an alarmed disc lock at a significantly reduced price.

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It comes after a spike in the number of motorbikes, scooters and mopeds stolen in Dorset, with 242 thefts being reported between January 2023 and July 2023 compared to only 255 in the whole of 2022.

The scheme previously ran in 2023 when 500 locks were purchased by Dorset residents who welcomed the opportunity to purchase the discounted locks with the first 250 selling out in 12 hours.

Mr Sidwick said: “Having spoken to victims, I have heard just how devastating having a motorcycle stolen can be.

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"For many people owning a bike is a cheap way to get to work, for some youngsters it's their first mode of transport and for some, it’s a means to earning a living by delivering food and goods.

"I hope by reducing the cost of the locks we can make bike security more accessible and help owners take practical and proactive steps to protect their bikes.

"Preventing the theft of vehicles is also an important element in keeping Dorset’s roads safe as many vehicles that are stolen are driven in a dangerous manner, therefore this scheme is helping to make Dorset a safer place for us all, not just those that own motorcycles.”

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The scheme will see Dorset motorcycle owners able to purchase Oxford Big Boss (RRP £99.99) and Oxford Alpha XA14 (RRP £79.99) locks for £30 and £25 respectively, including postage and packaging, with the PCCs office covering the difference

The funding for the bike locks is limited and requests for the locks will be monitored by the charity, so only Dorset residents who have not previously purchased a lock through the 2023 initiative will be able to benefit.

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Dr Ian Mew, co-founder and Trustee of the DocBike charity added: “It’s a pleasure to help the PCC with this initiative once again. 

"This is something that is very important to the motorcycling community. Preventing motorcycle theft by making high quality locks available to motorcyclists at an affordable price makes absolute sense and it’s something that we’re very happy to facilitate.”

The locks will be available on the DocBike website from March 21 at 09.00 AM.