Over the 12 months of 2019, 14 thefts of road bicycles were committed in the Lepel district (7 in 2018), which is 7 more than the previous year.
By place of commission: 3 road bicycle thefts were committed from streets, 1 theft in a forest area, 4 thefts in apartment buildings (entrances), 3 thefts from private houses, and 3 thefts from shops.
In the town of Lepel, 8 thefts were committed, 5 in rural areas, and 1 outside populated areas.
The main reason for committing this type of crime in most cases is the carelessness of citizens themselves.
Currently, a wide variety of bicycles can be seen on the streets: from the most modest to multi-speed sports models. Cyclists leave their "iron horses" near shops, building entrances, and shopping pavilions, and at night – on the stair landings of apartment buildings. Of course, this does not leave offenders indifferent and prompts them to commit theft.
Such incidents are not isolated. Many urban bicycle owners, after riding on the street, do not bother to transport their "iron horse" into their apartment or onto the balcony, believing they can store bicycles in the entrances of residential buildings, and leave them on the stair landings near their apartments.
It is necessary to draw the attention of such citizens to the fact that they are thereby violating fire safety rules. The storage and placement of furniture, property, and personal belongings are prohibited in evacuation routes, which include common areas of residential apartment buildings. Bicycles belong in a garage, shed, or inside an apartment.
To protect their bicycle from thieves, the owner must first and foremost take care of the security of their vehicle. There are now many simple and inexpensive ways to install anti-theft devices and protect your two-wheeled friend. A bicycle can be protected from theft not only by a special cable with a locking device but also by a simple metal chain, secured through the links with a regular padlock and attached to any immovable object: a tree, a pole, or a handrail on a landing. Such simple devices can prevent the loss of a favorite means of transport, and with it, material damage! Make the obligatory ritual of locking your bicycle (even for a short absence) to a static object an automatic habit. To avoid becoming a victim of a crime, it is recommended to mark the main components.