MOTORCYCLE theft in Huddersfield is the worst outside of London, figures have revealed.
The shocking discovery comes after motorcycle insurance firm Carole Nash published its bike theft league table.
The annual study saw Huddersfield claim the shameful title as the eighth worst area in the UK – a rise of 16 places from last year.
It is the only town outside of the capital to make the top 10 with a motorbike theft rate almost three times the national average.
The news wasn’t much better for Halifax bikers who had the third worst record outside of London in joint 14th place.
There was better news for Leeds motorcyclists who dropped a massive 50 places down the table to 66th and now enjoy a theft rate below the UK average.
The worst area for bike theft is London’s SW postcode with a rate 4½ times the UK average.
Insurers would not reveal the exact number of claims for thefts.
The company, the UK’s largest motorbike insurer, creates its annual survey by comparing the number of thefts against the number of policyholders in each area.
Commercial director, Simon Jackson, said: “We’ve been conducting this research for a number of years now and the London boroughs have consistently suffered the highest theft rates, but areas of West Yorkshire are not far behind.
“The message could not be clearer to bikers in these high risk areas that they must minimise the dangers they face by investing in effective security devices and choosing sensible places to park.
“It also highlights the need for local authorities and private sector providers to increase the availability of dedicated secure motorcycle parking facilities.
“At the end of the day a determined thief will move hell and high water to steal a high value bike, even dismantling a garage, breeze block by breeze block.
“But a lot of thefts are simply opportunistic and some bikers are guilty of creating opportunity.”
The publication of Carole Nash’s survey follows a warning from the Motorcycle Crime Reduction Group (MCRG) that bike thefts rates are rising and now cost an estimated £105m annually.
MCRG chairman, Kevin Howells, said: “Compared to other automotive sectors, motorcycle theft is rising, especially when taking into account the number of new machines being registered these days.
“On average there are 77 motorcycles and scooters being stolen every day which creates a massive financial bill for riders, manufacturers, dealers, finance companies and insurers and can deter people from continuing to ride or even taking up two wheels, precisely at a time when the industry is working so hard to raise awareness and highlight the benefits including lower costs and convenience that biking offers over other forms of transport”.
