Parliament Workbench

Petition · PE01618 · Session 5

Combatting Motorcycle Theft

Closed Submitted 21 Jul 2016 Transport
Signatures
500
697 online signatures with a country
Comments
112
Considered
3 meetings
in the Official Report

What it asks

Calling on the Scottish Parliament to urge the Scottish Government to take action to more effectively combat motorcycle theft and related offences.

What the petitioner did first

We have spoken to numerous MSPs and MPs, local police and even the newspapers.
On 20 July 2016, we hosted an event where over a hundred motorcyclists came to meet Sergeant Steven Cairns from Police Scotland to discuss the current situation and what motorcyclists can do to give the police our full help and support.
We have supported the police by hosting search parties to try and find some of the stolen motorcycles, as well as searching through social media to collect information on known bike thieves, photographic evidence of them on stolen bikes, and information regarding where these stolen bikes are being dumped and set on fire. We have forwarded all of this information to the police.

Where it was considered

Official Report
  1. 27 Oct 2016
    Public Petitions Committee
    New Petitions
    1 mention
  2. 2 Feb 2017
    Public Petitions Committee
    Continued Petitions
    1 mention
  3. 27 Apr 2017
    Public Petitions Committee
    Continued Petitions
    1 mention

Signatures by country

697 online signatures
  1. Scotland593 85.1%
  2. United Kingdom86 12.3%
  3. England13 1.9%
  4. Wales2 0.3%
  5. Northern Ireland1 0.1%
  6. Saudi Arabia1 0.1%
  7. Spain1 0.1%

Comments

112 comments, oldest first
112 comments · showing 1–50
  1. Colin Dotchin 26 Aug 2016
    To many bikes being stolen throughout all this country something has to be done
  2. Tam Louden 26 Aug 2016
    I've seen youths on stollen bikes literally hundreds of times when you call the police nothing gets done I don't call the police anymore as I know I'm waisting my time the only way to stop this is to use another method of catching them we should just knock them off the bike as they know the risk they are taking stealing the bike in the first place but our government is to scared to do that in case the little thief hurts them self if they thought they risked being knocked off the bikes they might think again about stealing it in the first place but even when they are caught the punishment is crap so they just keep doing it they put innocent people at risk with the way they drive the bikes on our streets if I drove my bike like that the courts would through the book at me so why not them they are all laughing at our judicial system Scottish government get your act together and get this problem dealt with
  3. John waugh 26 Aug 2016
    I know lots of people that have had bikes stolen including me. And find its not treated as a serious crime
  4. Euan Daly 26 Aug 2016
    This is so important and must be heard!
  5. Natalie Marshall 26 Aug 2016
    My brother is a biker and had his bike stolen a few years ago by someone under 16. Due to his age nothing was done about it. Theft is theft no matter what age the culprit is. The legal age for criminal culptibility in Scotland is 12 under the Criminal Justice and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2010. So why should under 16s get away with motorcycle theft???
  6. john rennie 26 Aug 2016
    It's time action was taken to deter the people from stealing motorcycles. Stiffer penalties are required.
  7. John Johnston 26 Aug 2016
    The fundamental problem is the youths know that there is no legal consequences.
  8. Steven Grimley 27 Aug 2016
    It is now beyond a joke and requires immediate attention to stop this growing problem
  9. John Graham 27 Aug 2016
    This has now got to epidemic and becoming more brazen. Police need more resources to tackle the known individuals and deal with thefts by minors and organised groups .
  10. James fleming 27 Aug 2016
    Far to many bikes being stolen and not just for riding in the fields this is stolen to order and will continue until more is done
  11. Joseph Laird 27 Aug 2016
    Motorcycle theft is a massive corrupt business and has never been given the attention it deserves there use to be a dedicated car crime unit within the police which related to car theft a unit with the same dedication should be given to motorcycle theft these people operate with impunity they operate without risk and as usual the public pay.
  12. Willie Wilson 27 Aug 2016
    My F650GS stolen from outside home last year. Found on other side of Edinburgh 10 days later, minus several parts.
  13. David James Donovan 28 Aug 2016
    Motorcycles are a significant form of transport for many people going about their personal and occupation, theft is a dreadful thing and every effort should be taken to prevent this. I know the Scottish government is cash strapped according to Nicola but I am sure addressing this problem will earn her a good few browny points
  14. Dylan Campbell 28 Aug 2016
    Since iv started riding about a year ago iv heard around 8 bike thefts from friends.
  15. A c 28 Aug 2016
    I've lost count how many times I've seen youths with no helmets on riding bikes.

    I've had one bike stolen. I recovered it after two weeks of me going out, not the police, unfortunately it was burnt out..

    I think it's easier to say how many haven't had bikes stolen.

    I also want to point out the non stolen off readers and quad bikes that rip round the estates. I'm not saying outlaw them. But they should made to have ins and follow the same rules ifrhey ride them what is on road.... Or they should have to push them to the bings.
  16. Nik oconnor 28 Aug 2016
    Thieves need dealt with properly by the courts
  17. Martin Pennycook 29 Aug 2016
    This is an area of crime that has not had the resources but behind it. The police know the culprits but the courts do little to assist the battle. We had the bikes of both of my sons bikes stolen earlier this year.
  18. Derek Calder 29 Aug 2016
    I myself have been a victim of motor cycle theft I feel like many other bikers that there should be harsher sentences for the thieves. They don't care about invading your property or the trauma that people feel let alone the financial costs to the victims
  19. Jimmy Young 30 Aug 2016
    Any changes need to tackle the real crimes of bikers and not the easy hits such as small number plates targeted by many Police forces.
  20. Stephen Gillie 31 Aug 2016
    The way it is delt with has to be more strict to prevent this happening
  21. Stephen Corrigan 31 Aug 2016
    About time these crooks get the book thrown at them. Good hard working people are at a loss when these thieves go unpunished or let off with light sentences. The sooner they get dealt with in a robust manner the sooner all the others will take note.
  22. Stuart Halley 31 Aug 2016
    Seen youths on stolen bikes with and without helmets riding throughout Edinburgh. Worst of all are the bikes stolen from campsites and B&B's. Foreign plates are common amongst the stolen ones. Had my bike stolen in April.
  23. James Henderson 31 Aug 2016
    Polce Scotland are failing to protect motor bikers.
  24. Paul 31 Aug 2016
    As a chinese delivery driver in the pilton area,i see these young lads risking there lives on a daily basis.
  25. Graham Dunn 31 Aug 2016
    Does the Scottish Government see this as an issue ? Are they willing to act on the petition and fund Police Scotland accordingly.
  26. John Duffy 31 Aug 2016
    Courts should increase penalties.
  27. Gordon McLuskie 31 Aug 2016
    We need to stamp down hard on motorcycle thieves
  28. G Bathgate 31 Aug 2016
    I had my GS1000 stolen years ago and never got it back my mate had his XS850 stolen and fortunately got it back I had an attempted theft of my CB750 F2 as well. Motorcycle theft is getting out of control and it needs stamped out!
  29. jim Thomson 31 Aug 2016
    I have seen youths riding 4 times with no helmets. My friend had his bike stolen and I fought the 5 youths smashing his bike up, I took pictures and informed the police but to this day no questions or request for pics have ever been asked of me. I know of minimum 10 who have had bikes stolen. This is becoming a game to these kids and they know the police will do nothing as its dangerous to peruse them.
  30. James Quin 31 Aug 2016
    Something has to be done or there are going to be vigilantes out there
  31. david flynn 31 Aug 2016
    had my scooter stolen
    see a few friends bikes stolen
    seen kids dozens of times riding with no helmets
  32. Andrew Johnston 1 Sep 2016
    i had two Stolen Bikes drive past me in pilton , No helmets on and hoodies up !
  33. Warren 1 Sep 2016
    I regularly see stolen bikes and scooters around Craigmillar, and both my parents and Parents in law have stolen bikes running up and down their streets at all hours of the morning nearly every night. The police never attend. I cannot risk taking my bike anywhere, so rarely use it as a result. I can't park it outside my house for fear it'll be taken. What a way to live.
  34. Peter Cook 1 Sep 2016
    3 bikes stolen & 1 attempted theft of a bike in the space of 2 weeks from my work place.
  35. Ellie Case 3 Sep 2016
    Nothing much changes. This happened to my Father- in 1972!!!!!!!!
  36. Jonathan Candlish 3 Sep 2016
    Brother of Thomas Candlish had two bikes stolen and seen two chavs in ski masks in gilmerton with no helmets riding stolen red Ducati
  37. Rich 4 Sep 2016
    Had my £5000 bike stolen this week, the thieves had it in their possession for longer than I did. I owned it for 48 hours. It has been recovered but the police relapse was awful and I know it wasn't their fault. The fact that the team who deal with these "don't work weekends" is unbelievable. They cannot control this situation if he system doesn't slow them to and this needs to change.
  38. David green 5 Sep 2016
    Let's get these scumbags of the streets
  39. Shuggie Hoskins 5 Sep 2016
    Please take notice of this we need to stop these criminals stealing our motorbikes they are our pride and joy.
  40. Amanda Saunderson 5 Sep 2016
    The Police may have their hands tied about chasing them but they know who they are and where they live.
  41. Jock Stewart 5 Sep 2016
    Had my motorcycle stolen in Edinburgh from a CCTV monitored car park and yet nothing seems to be able to be done. A trawl through social media gives a pretty good idea of the groups involved with this crime wave.
  42. Aldo Wetsch 5 Sep 2016
    Laws have to change from protecting scumbags to protecting law abiding citizens who pay the taxes that ultimately keeps the system going. I for one am sick and tired of hearing about their rights, what about my rights?
  43. Nick Atkinson 5 Sep 2016
    I've had 1 bike stolen from me and was on finance and now in debt and seen idiots riding with no helmets
  44. Dean Burt 5 Sep 2016
    It's not right we work hard for our bikes too have them just taken away
  45. Kenny rodger 5 Sep 2016
    Sock off goin up town and getting past at a red light by some hoodie on someone elses pride and joy
  46. Cliff 5 Sep 2016
    Had several bikes stolen over the years.
  47. Aaron Fong 5 Sep 2016
    Signing to help reduce motorcycle theft.
  48. Liam Urquhart 5 Sep 2016
    I really feel for the guys and girls that had their pride and joy nicked it's really shocking that someone that low who do this.
  49. Peter Webster 5 Sep 2016
    Iv had 1 stolen 1 attempted 2 neighbours nit so lucky. Seen a few can't recall how many over the past year. 2 friends had bikes stolen in the last 3 months
  50. trish 5 Sep 2016
    Its a joke that something isint being done but I have also noticed they don't do much about housebraking breaking into garages ect too in my area. Ive known of the police having a chance to catch them and they didn't show till 30 mins after the burglars left. Good luck with petition.