Crime Prevention

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 April 2013

Tuesday, 30 April 2013

Questions (421, 422)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

421. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if consideration has been given to compelling bicycle shops and other purveyors of bicycles to retain the serial numbers of bicycles sold along with the purchasers' details they retain, especially for those availing of the cycle to work tax scheme, as a measure to tackle the increase in theft of bicycles and to allow for more bikes to be reunited with their owners quickly when recovered by An Garda Síochána. [19816/13]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

422. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if consideration is being given to a voluntary registration of bicycle serial numbers with An Garda Síochána and the steps being taken to prevent and tackle the increasing theft of bicycles. [19817/13]

Written answers

Minister for Justice and Equality

I propose to take Questions Nos. 421 and 422 together.

An Garda Síochána is proactive in encouraging the public to protect their property, including bicycles, and a range of measures are in place to prevent and tackle the theft of bicycles.

A crime prevention information leaflet on bicycle security is available on the Garda website, www.garda.ie . The leaflet accentuates the importance of bicycle owners keeping a record of the bicycle frame identification number, colour and any other unique features. Furthermore, in July 2012, An Garda Síochána created a link from the Garda website to YouTube to call attention to a video on bicycle security which had been developed as a joint initiative by An Garda Síochána and Dublin City Council. I am also informed that An Garda Síochána is currently rolling out a pilot scheme in a number of Garda locations which allows members of the public to view on-line photographs of recovered property, including bicycles, on the Garda page of the social media site, Flickr.

I have no plans at the present time to introduce legal obligations in this regard over and above the voluntary crime prevention measures which owners of any type of valuable property are encouraged to take to assist in the return of their property should it be recovered following a theft.