The Bermuda Police Service is urging residents to secure their vehicles properly following a recent spike in motorcycle thefts.

Last week, 20 motorcycles were taken from various locations island wide, taking the number of stolen motor vehicles recorded at the end of last month to 498.

A police spokesman said: “In order to minimise the risk of vehicle theft, do not leave a vehicle unattended and with the engine running.”

He added: “Secure bikes with a proper lock, preferably attached to a stationary object that cannot be moved.

“At night, park bikes in well-lit areas and in all cases be sure not to leave keys in the ignition or spare keys with your bike or car.”

The police said recovering the vehicles was no simple process as they are usually stolen for a variety of reasons.

Motorcycles, the prime target of thieves, are often disassembled and sold for parts.

The spokesman said: “Stolen bikes are often stripped down to the frame which is then dumped in bushes or in the ocean making recovery even more difficult.”

He said the bikes were also used by criminal elements and are usually fitted with licence plates belonging to another cycle.

In other cases, the bikes are taken out on the roads by teenagers and then dumped.

Meanwhile, the police have been able to recover almost every car which has been reported stolen.

The spokesman said: “In cases where a car has been stolen, most times keys are left in the ignition or somewhere inside the vehicle.”

The BPS records every report of vehicle theft and after a report is filed, vehicle numbers are circulated to all patrol officers and broadcast on police radios.

In addition, CCTV and other lines of enquiry are used to attempt to identify the persons who have taken them.

The BPS thanked the public for assisting in its efforts to recover stolen vehicles.

Information on stolen vehicles should be reported to the police on 211or shared with a police officer one is familiar with.

Stolen vehicles can also be reported through the BPS community online reporting portal.