Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will have discussions with relevant stakeholders on the potential merits of funding technology to (a) prevent cycle thefts and (b) enable secure tracking systems on bicycles and e-bikes.

The Government encourages the use of innovative new technology to prevent theft and trace stolen items.

In 2020 the Government published Gear Change – a bold vision for cycling and walking. Theme 4 of Gear Change includes various initiatives to reduce cycle theft. The Department for Transport and Active Travel England are working with the police-led National Cycle Crime Group to support regional cycle crime enforcement partnerships and raise awareness of better ways to secure cycles.

Cycle Crime Reduction Partnerships have been set up across the country to coordinate regional enforcement activity to disrupt organised cycle theft.

The Home Office has established an expert Stolen Goods Working Group with the police and academia to tackle the markets for stolen goods. The group is working to identify where and how stolen goods are commonly sold; examining ways to ensure property is secure, identifiable and traceable through property marking, and exploring ways to increase enforcement and share best practice between forces.

Crime survey of England & Wales for year ending June 2023 shows that bicycle theft since March 2010 has reduced by 54%.

There are currently no plans for the Home Office to provide any further funding for technology to tackle cycle theft.