Officers host bike-marking events

The Welwyn Hatfield Safer Neighbourhood Team hosted free bike-marking events for residents last week.

The first event took place at Birchwood Leisure Centre in Longmead, Hatfield, on Tuesday 24 January. Residents could drop in between 10am and 2pm to get their bikes security marked. There was also a crime prevention stall, with the SNT officers accompanied by crime prevention officers giving out useful safety and security tips.

On Friday 27 January, another event was held from 2pm to 6pm. It took place outside Welwyn Garden City Police Station (Rosanne House). Locals were able to speak to their officers about any issues affecting them and get their bikes marked for free at the same time.

The events formed part of the national Neighbourhood Policing Week which aims to highlight the vital role that neighbourhood officers play in communities.

Over 20 bikes were security marked in total.

PC Darren Turner, who attended the event in Hatfield, said: “Having your bike security marked is something that we really recommend.  It takes just seconds and it deters thieves as the bike becomes harder to sell on.

“If you were unable to make the events, don’t forget you can register your bike (opens in a new window). This is a national database that can be used to help find your bike should it ever get lost or stolen.”

“I’d like to thank everybody who came along – whether that was to get your bike security marked or just to chat through your thoughts about local policing. Speaking to residents face-to-face is always useful and helps us to understand where we should be focusing our patrols and operations.”

To receive police messages about a range of topics including burglaries, scams and missing people in your local area, sign up to OWL (opens in a new window) or download the ‘OWL crime alerts’ app from your app store.

You can use our community voice platform ‘echo’ to let us know what you think we should be prioritising in your area. Your feedback will help towards shaping our local policing priorities, initiatives and campaigns. Visit the following and tell us your thoughts.

Welwyn Hatfield North echo (opens in a new window) – (Welwyn West, Welwyn East, Haldens, Sherrards, Handside, Peartree and Panshanger)

Welwyn Hatfield South echo (opens in a new window) –  (Hollybush, Cuffley, Howlands, Northaw, Hatfield East, Hatfield South, Welham Green, Brookmans Park and Little Heath)

Welwyn Hatfield West echo (opens in a new window) – (Hatfield Villages, Hatfield Central, Hatfield South West and the University of Hertfordshire).