In 1994, over $3.8 million worth of cycles were stolen throughout the Island.

Assistant Police Commissioner Mr. Wayne Perinchief told The Royal Gazette that the amount of stolen cycles increased from 1,284 to 2,532 -- almost 100 per cent -- between 1993 and 1994.

He added that although 1995 may show an improvement, the problem had reached "epidemic proportions'' with more than $2.6 million worth of stolen cycles having already been reported by August 31..

Close to 50 percent of stolen cycles were recovered every year but they were normally stripped of their parts and worthless to their original owners.

He said Police Commissioner Mr. Colin Coxall realised cycle theft was a big problem as soon as he arrived on the Island and asked him to head up a task force to deal with the matter.

The problems, explained Mr. Perinchief, included youths stealing cycles to impress their peers, stealing cycles to joyride on and stealing cycles and parts to sell for cash.

He said some adults made a career out of stealing cycles for resale and some would steal the cycle for the owner so they could claim on its insurance.

And there were repeat offenders under the age of 16 who were prosecuted but go out and steal again because they could not be punished severely enough to deter them the first time.

To stop this, he said, the Police have requested a law review of the Criminal Code, in particular the legislation regarding cycle theft, and the Young Offenders Act to increase convicted offender's compensation to a more "realistic'' level.

Mr. Perinchief said Police were working closely with the Transport Control Department to tighten up on cycle registration and transfers. TCD were now turning dubious cycles away for clearance by Police before they licensed them.

Sergeant Ken Lewis of Cycle Squad said the Police were visiting schools regularly to offer lectures on road safety and U-Marking.

Mr. Perinchief said insurance companies would not insure bikes for theft if they were not U-marked. Cycles can be U-marked between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. from Monday to Friday at Police Headquarters in Prospect, he added.

Police were also trying to establish "proper, secure cycle parking'' in Hamilton where almost 50 percent of cycle thefts occur, said Mr. Perinchief.

These areas would probably operate under a pay and display system and could reduce the amount of cycle parking on the streets.

They were looking at areas in Hamilton which could be enclosed and supervised by a full time security guard. These included Number Seven Shed, Number One Shed, Par-La-Ville car park and Bull's Head car park.

Mr. Perinchief said he wanted to warn the public that they could also expect increased "stop checks'' of cycles which would attempt to curb the number of stolen cycles.

He said he hoped people would be able to appreciate the Police's efforts and asked them to make sure they carried their registration and licences with them.

He also appealed to parents to check their children's cycles and see if they were legal. This included when their children were modifying their bike or when they were buying a second-hand bike.