New Police Powers Could Make Stolen Motorcycle Recovery Much Faster
Changes to the crime and policing bill could mean stolen bikes that are fitted with trackers could be recovered much more quickly and easily
The government has outlined a raft of changes to the crime and policing bill, and one of the new rules could have big implications for motorcyclists.
The news relates to police powers to search the homes of people who are suspected of stealing or handling stolen phones and other geotagged items. Previously the police would have to apply for a warrant to search a property, even if tracking devices had highlighted it as being within that address. That looks set to change when the new bill goes in front of parliament before the election.
While the bill focuses on so-called ‘low-level’ crimes such as mobile phone and laptop theft, it would also apply to stolen motorcycles that are fitted with a tracker. The new powers will mean that should it be proven that the bike is within the address, and if it would be “not practicable” for law enforcement to apply for a warrant, the police will now be able to enter the address to recover the stolen property.
The bill specifically applies to any stolen item that could be located using its mobile signal, wifi, Bluetooth or tracking devices such as an AirTag, and can be expanded to include cars, motorcycles, and even farm machinery and agricultural vehicles.
Another motorcycle-specific change to the crime and policing bill is to make it easier for the police to find off-road bikes that are being used in an anti-social manner, while also making it easier for law enforcement to access DVLA records.
Speaking about the new bill, the home secretary, Yvette Cooper, said:
“For too long communities have had to put up with rising town centre and street crime and persistent antisocial behaviour, while neighbourhood police have been cut. And for years too little has been done to tackle the most serious violence of all, including knife crime and violence against women and children.
“That is why the new crime and policing bill is about taking back our streets and town centres, restoring respect for law and order, and giving the police and local communities the support and tools they need to tackle local crime.”
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Simon (AKA Toad) has been working within the motorcycle industry for more than twelve years, and a member of the motorcyclist family since birth. Growing up around British-built single and twins, it was inevitable that a life on two wheels was on the cards, from a very early age!
