Dear {FIRST_NAME}
Wednesday 19th July
Police Scotland has teamed up with a professional mountain biker to offer prevention advice as part of a campaign to reduce the number of bike thefts occurring in Scotland.
Scotty Laughland, who has competed across the world and creates mountain bike content on his social media channels, filmed a series of videos to discuss the impact bike theft had on him personally and professionally. Scotty was joined by PC Graeme Scott to discuss the security measures the public can take to deter such crimes happening to them.
Between April 2022 and March 2023, almost 4,000 bikes a year are reported stolen to Police Scotland. In May 2022, Scotty himself became a victim of bike theft when his workshop in Stirlingshire was broken into and £50,000 worth of bikes, cycling equipment and tools were stolen from within.
Ahead of the UCI World Championship cycling events that will see thousands of professional cyclists and cycling enthusiasts visit Scotland, from Thursday, 3 August, three videos will be published on Police Scotland’s social media channels over the course of the next three weeks to highlight to the public how they can safeguard their bikes and equipment.
Police Scotland’s bike theft advice can be viewed by visiting https://www.scotland.police.uk/what-s-happening/events/cycling-world-championships-2023/bike-safety-advice/
