How to Prevent Bicycle Theft 1. Use a high-quality lock. Choose locks with a high-security rating, such as U-locks or folding locks. 2. Park your bicycle in a secure location. Try to park in well-lit and busy areas. 3. Lock your bicycle to the frame and wheels. This makes it more difficult for thieves to steal the bike. 4. Use two locks. Two different types of locks can enhance security. 5. Register your bicycle. Keep a record of the serial number and retain the documents for the bicycle. 6. Do

Answered by the district police inspector For some, a bicycle is hardly anything less than a year-round means of transportation. However, most residents of our city actively use two-wheeled transport from spring to autumn. This same period also coincides with the time of the "hunting" of criminals engaged in bicycle thefts.   

About how dishonest citizens operate, told Senior District Police Inspector of the Department of Public Order Protection and Prevention of Public Safety Police of Braslaŭ District, Vitaliy Vavinski: 

• In 2022, 5 bicycle thefts were registered, which occurred in different settlements. 

The bicycle is a rather expensive item, so those inclined to commit crimes believe that they can make a good profit from it. First, a bicycle left unattended, especially for a long time, is a real bait for criminals. Secondly, the height of foolishness is to park it without using anti-theft devices at all. And thirdly, even cables and locks will not protect an expensive two-wheeled "steed" from theft. 

And the conclusion here is only one: take care of the safety of your bicycle. Most often, they are stolen either from very crowded places or from those where the criminal is not disturbed. If you need to leave your bicycle for a short time, be sure to use anti-theft devices so that the wrongdoer does not have enough time to fiddle with the protection. At the same time, chains are much more reliable than cables. Even better – use several: secure the frame with one device and lock the wheels with another. Choose a parking spot under surveillance cameras. Do not use the same places for long-term parking so that the criminal cannot figure out the keys to the lock. 

Make your bicycle clearly distinguishable from others, write down the name, model, and keep several photographs – this can help if you still have to search for your two-wheeled transport. There are also two hundred percent ways to secure your bicycle from theft. There are only two. The first is not to leave it unattended, the second is to store it at home or in a reliable garage. Theft (Article 205 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus) under part 1 is punishable by community service, or a fine, or corrective labor for up to two years, or arrest, or restriction of freedom for up to three years, or imprisonment for the same term. 

Theft committed repeatedly, either by a group of persons or with penetration into a dwelling, is punishable by a fine, or corrective labor for up to two years, or arrest, or restriction of freedom for up to four years, or imprisonment for the same term. Theft committed in a large amount is punishable by restriction of freedom for a term of two to five years or imprisonment for a term of two to seven years with or without a fine. Theft committed by an organized group or in especially large amounts is punishable by imprisonment for a term of three to twelve years with a fine.

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