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Police forces recommend securing valuables, such as motorbikes and ATVs, using high security chains, robust locks and importantly, immovable anchors. Read on to learn more about the value of robust ground anchors.
Most UK based motorcyclists are highly aware that thieves want their bikes. To protect their valuable machines they often carry strong security chains and padlocks, use disc locks, immobilisers and install hidden tracking tags. But even with all these security precautions motorbikes and scooters can still be lifted into the back of a van, quickly taken to a hidden location and dismantled for parts that are then sold on the black market.
Locking valuable motorbikes away, hidden inside a secure garage, is an essential precaution. But this facility isn’t always available, especially when out and about. An important security recommendation is to securely anchor valuable motorbikes and other vehicles to fixed, immovable anchor points as this significantly increases the effort and equipment thieves need in order to be successful. Most thieves aren’t prepared to deal with these challenges and will generally move on to find easier targets.
UK Motorcycle Theft Statistics
The most recent motorcycle theft statistics, reported by the Office for National Statistics and DVLA, describe how 30,000 motorbikes were stolen in 2022. Almost half of these crimes took place in London with 14,000 reported motorcycle thefts. Other cities including Manchester, Birmingham and Leeds also experienced high crime rates.
The Motorcycle Industry Association (MCIA) has reported that motorcycle thefts fell by around 8% in the first 8 months of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. Visordown, a widely respected resource for motorcyclists, state that this decline reflects the lowest annual motorcycle theft rate since 2017, which is encouraging.
The average value of a stolen motorcycle is estimated to be around £8,000 - £10,000 which makes annual losses in excess of £240 million. High end motorbikes, such as BMW, Ducati and KTM, are amongst the favourite high value vehicles targeted by motorbike thieves. The top targeted models in 2023, as reported by insurers and police forces, were:
- Yamaha MT-07/09
- Honda CB125F
- KTM Duke 125/390
- Lexmoto LXR125
The popular Honda CB125F was the most commonly stolen motorbike in 2023 due to the demand for parts. And cheaper Chinese motorcycles are often stolen purely for joyriding.
It is worth noting that motorcycle thefts increase by around 20-30% in the warmer summer months as more motorbikes are on the roads and no longer locked away in garages. And it`s worth remembering that secured motorbikes are around 60% less likely to be targeted by thieves.
Why Ground Anchors Work
The primary reason immovable ground anchors are effective is that firmly attaching a valuable vehicle to an immovable object makes it impossible to steal it. Robust ground anchors provide a totally immovable anchorage for valuables such as motorbikes, scooters and ATVs. Securely attaching valuable vehicles to immovable anchor points thwarts “lift and load” theft techniques in which thieves will swiftly lift a valuable vehicle into a van and drive it away, often to be quickly dismantled.
Combining a robust ground anchor with a high strength security chain presents a strong visual deterrent that effectively discourages most thieves from even attempting to steal the secured vehicle. Overcoming a high security chain and robust ground anchor takes time, effort and specialist tools, such as angle grinders or oxy-acetylene torches. This effort and equipment is way beyond what most motorcycle thieves are inclined to use.
Where Secure Ground Anchors are Needed
When motorcyclists are out and about it can often be difficult to find suitably secure anchor points. Common elements of street furniture often used include:
- Lamp posts
- Traffic Sign posts
- Railings
- Fence and gate posts
- Parking meters
As a rule it makes sense to subject whatever anchor point is being considered to a tug-test before securely attaching a motorbike. Thieve have been known to purposely loosen poles in locations they know motorcyclists will leave their bikes, enabling them to lift the pole from the ground to free-up secured motorbikes.
Dedicated motorcycle parking bays and facilities, including some metropolitan car parks, might provide reliable ground anchors or hoops for motorcycles. Some bicycle racks can also potentially be used as secure anchor points.
At home, if a motorbike is stored outdoors, perhaps in a driveway or garden, it makes sense to install a robust immovable ground anchor and always make sure the motorbike is covered as well as being securely locked in place. Even if the motorbike is stored in a locked garage it makes sense to install and use a high security ground anchor inside the garage. Thieves are known to track targeted motorbikes to the homes of their owners where they will break into garages or storage facilities. If the stored motorbike is chained to an immovable anchor point inside the storage facility most criminals will not risk the time and effort it would take them to cut through the chain or anchor. And garage security measures, including alarms and CCTV, add further deterrence.
Workplaces often provide parking facilities but sadly don’t always adequately accommodate the security needs of motorcycling employees. A Ducati Panigale V4, worth around £23,000, was stolen from a London hospital car park in 2023. Thieves used an angle grinder to free the motorbike that had been locked to insecure railings. And a Harley Davidson Softail, worth around £20,000, was stolen from a construction site in Leeds in 2021. Thieves cut through the relatively low security chain used to secure the worker`s motorbike.
If you need to leave your valuable motorbike in a workplace car park that doesn’t offer any viable anchor points it makes sense to consider alternative options such as locking multiple motorcycles together. It might also be possible to prompt employers to install some robust motorcycle ground anchors in the car park.
Hotels and public buildings also generally offer parking facilities but sadly many don’t provide adequate security precautions for motorcyclists. In 2023 a Yamaha MT-10 SP, worth £16,000, was stolen from a Birmingham City Centre hotel open-air parking facility. Although secured with a disc lock, thieves were able to lift the valuable motorbike into their vehicle as it wasn’t chained and locked to an immovable anchor point. And in Brighton a Harley Davidson Road Glide, worth £22,000, was stolen from an unsecured hotel car park. Thieves used bolt croppers to cut through a low security chain and hacked the bike ignition, enabling them to ride the motorcycle away.
Any hotel that offers accommodation for motorcycling visitors should consider installing secure ground anchors in their parking areas as this security enhancement demonstrates the hotel cares about their customers and their security needs. The motorcycling community will promote any establishment that invests in providing robust motorcycle security.
Always Use Layered Security
It is worth remembering that most thieves will not risk spending more than around 5 minutes in overcoming bike, motorbike or ATV security. Security professionals and police forces all recommend using multiple layers of security to protect valuable vehicles. The overall aim is to deter, prevent, delay and disrupt any theft attempts.
Layer 1 consists of the physical locks and chains that deter and protect vehicles. The primary lock should be a high quality padlock along with a high security chain wrapped through the vehicle wheel and frame, attaching it to an immovable anchor point. Disc locks and / or possibly D-locks should also be used. Some of these are available with integral alarms.
Layer 2 involves the use of electronic devices including immobilisers, alarms and GPS tracking devices. Alarm systems attract attention, which will scare away most thieves. Immobilisers prevent motorcycles from being driven away, but obviously don’t combat “lift and load” attacks. Carefully concealed GPS trackers help identify the location of stolen vehicles, often enabling them to be recovered quickly.
Layer 3 consists of the visual deterrents that can prompt criminals to move on to easier targets. High quality, tough security chains along with robust padlocks, ground anchors and disc locks all present a strong visual deterrent. Keeping valuable vehicles covered and out of sight is another important visual deterrent. Parking vehicles where they are overlooked by CCTV cameras is another visual deterrent that will put off many would-be thieves.
Layer 4 involves thinking carefully about where a motorbike or vehicle is parked and left unattended. The aim should be to prevent easy “grab and go” thefts. This can be achieved by securely attaching valuable vehicles to robust, immovable anchor points and avoid parking in dark, secluded locations that might provide thieves with the opportunity to overcome security measures without being witnessed.
Another valuable security precaution is to security label the vehicle and all of its primary components using security marking or etching. This tactic helps prevent the vehicle from being dismantled and sold as parts.
How Ground Anchors Have Prevented Theft
It clearly takes time, effort, thought and some expense to implement effective security precautions. Motorcyclists naturally want to know - do these precautions actually work?
As previously noted, crime statistics demonstrate that secured motorcycles are 60% less likely to be targeted by thieves. And luckily there are many reports that demonstrate how effective these security techniques are.
For example, in Camden, London, a motorcyclist parked their valuable Triumph Street Triple in a secured garage. The motorbike was locked in place using a heavy duty, high security chain looped through the frame and attached to an immovable ground anchor. Thieves attempted to cut the chain but gave up their attack, probably due to the time it was taking and the noise they were making.
In Manchester a motorcyclist locked their Kawasaki Z900 to a scaffold pole using a high security chain and lock. Thieves attempted to break the chain but failed.
In Leicestershire two thieves attempted to steal a moped from the owner’s driveway. The criminals were unable to overcome the high security chain attaching the valued moped to an immovable ground anchor and this robust anchorage prevented them from lifting the vehicle and loading into their van.
In Melbourne, Australia, thieves attempted to cut a high security chain that was securing a Yamaha MT-09 to an immovable ground anchor. The criminals used an angle grinder but were only able to make some ineffective, superficial cuts to the chain before giving up.
Taurus Bull Ring Concrete-In Ground Anchor
Install a High Quality Ground Anchor
Hopefully, it should be clear that if you don’t already have an immovable ground anchor wherever you park or store your motorbike, ATV or other vehicle - you need one. Luckily there are some of the best available security ground anchors in our store. If you need some assistance in determining which is best for your needs please don’t hesitate to give us a call. Here are a couple of suggestions:
If you have any questions about reliable ground anchors, or if you have any special requirements, remember we are here to help. Give us a call on 01273 092921 and we’ll provide you with free, expert advice.
For more information on Always Lock Motorbikes and ATVs to Strong Ground Anchors talk to Insight Security