PEOPLE are being urged to keep their vehicles safe after a number of thefts and break-ins in the area in recent weeks. 

As reported in the Bolton News, a gang stole a number of motorbikes in the Radcliffe and Little Lever area overnight between Friday and Saturday.

In addition, a bike was taken from Southfield Drive in Westhoughton last month before being found set on fire a short distance away.

Motorbikes are an easy target for thieves and people are being reminded of police’s advice on how to keep them safe and secure. 

As well as motorbikes being targeted, there have been a number of reports of cars being broken into and stolen.

This has included people breaking into houses and taking keys before stealing vehicles parked on driveways. 

Car and motorbike thefts have been reported in parts of Blackrod, Horwich, and Westhoughton this month.

Kirk Mason, the owner of the motorbike that was taken from Southfield Drive, urged other motorcyclists to make sure they are kept the secure, adding that he learned his lesson after it was taken. 

He said: “The bike was left unsecured and this is all really a harsh lesson.

“It is proof all motorcyclists should invest in a chain or ground anchor and a disc lock as a minimum.

“Motorcycles are so easy to steal, a handful of kids could do it.”

However, James Meadowcroft, whose bike was stolen from Lever Street, Radcliffe, had left it chained up and in a well-lit area but it was still targeted by thieves some time between Friday night and Saturday morning.

Police advice on keeping motorbikes safe includes parking it in a well-lit area with good CCTV, using a designated motorcycle-parking place with a stand and a security loop and using a number of locks focusing, especially on disk and chain locks. 

People are also urged to use tamper-proof screws to secure number plates, to lock it to something secure, installing audible alarms and to use a motorbike cover. 

Police also urge people to consider marking their bikes with a vehicle identification number, to property mark it and not to leave valuables or helmets with the bike.

Two motorcycles were also taken from Ridgway, Blackrod between Saturday, April 1 and Sunday, April 2, one which was chained to a lamppost and another was taken from a driveway. 

Greater Manchester Police’s advice for vehicles includes putting keys safe and out of sight when in the house to stop burglars taking them easily, to make sure valuables are not left on display in a vehicle and never leaving a vehicle unlocked, no matter how short a time it is being left.