Posting photos about your motorcycle could be inviting professional theft gangs to target you, warns RACQ safety technical officer and motorcycle rider Steve Spalding.
His comments come as this British video seems to show that a group of six thieves knew exactly what they were about to steal from this locked garage. One possibility for their inside knowledge could be from a simple social media post.
The thieves hacked down the garage door to extract the expensive BMW S 1000 RR sport bike before getting on their bikes and riding away.
Fortunately, West Midlands Police say two men were arrested in connection with the crime, but one was released on bail as the investigation continues.
Posting warning
It is believed well-organised theft gangs may be scanning Facebook and other social media to find the bike they are looking for, then tracing the whereabouts of the owner through their profile details.
Steve has issued a warning to riders posting personal details and images of their pride and joy.
Senior Constable Tony Tatkovich and Steve Spalding RACQ with a motorcycle disc lock“Although it’s good to share pics and details of your bike and rides with like-minded people on Facebook groups, be aware of what information you post in the public space,” he warns.
“There are unfortunately people who can use this information to track down a bike and steal it.
“This could be a particular risk for unique or collectible bikes where they are stolen to order.”
Theft boom
Australian motor vehicle theft rose 7% in the 12 months to September 2019, largely the result of a 12% boom in motorcycle thefts, the highest of all vehicle groups.
However, the biggest was in profit-motivate motorcycle theft which rose 14.4%, according to the National Motor Vehicle Theft Reduction Council.
Despite accounting for just 5% of registrations, motorcycle thefts now represent one in six stolen vehicles.
The sobering statistics also show that almost two in three motorcycles are stolen from the home, one in six motorcycle theft victims have previously been a victim of theft and more than half of all stolen bikes are never recovered.
A Council spokeswoman says it “makes sense to mask rego plates in any pictures and not to disclose personal details” on social media.