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Gwent Police are running a ‘bike marking’ event in Bargoed where cyclists can come and register their bikes to help protect them against thieves. 

The event is being held at Hanbury Square, Bargoed, and bike owners are welcome to come along from 4.30pm on January 25 where help will be on hand to complete the free five-minute process. 

‘Bike marking’ includes adhering two stickers with unique QR codes to the bike frame – one which is obvious and another that’s hidden – and registering the details of the owner in a form so that they can be contacted in the event of a theft. 

All bikes are welcome – including electric bikes – and though a person needs to be over 18 years old to be registered with the National Cycle Database, parents can come along and register kits on behalf of their children. 

The process can act as a “deterrent” and could be worthwhile as according to Telephone-operated Crime Survey for England and Wales (TCSEW), there were over 200,000 bicycle theft incidents up to the year ending September 2021. 

A spokesperson for Gwent Police told Caerphilly Observer: “Having your bike marked and registered is a deterrent to thieves. It means if your bike is stolen, and later recovered, we can easily identify the owner. Getting your bike security marked improves your chances of being reunited with your bike.”

“Our neighbourhood policing teams hold bike marking events in various areas, these are advertised on social media but you can also contact your local neighbourhood policing team directly for more advice and information, find your local team by visiting https://www.gwent.police.uk/.”

Additional bike marking events will take place in Aberbargoed and Gelligaer.