Petition to the UK Parliament: Urgent Measures to Tackle Motorcycle Theft and Protect Riders

Background Motorcycle theft has reached unprecedented levels across the United Kingdom, imposing significant financial and personal hardship on riders, undermining public confidence, and placing avoidable strain on police resources and insurance systems. Offenders frequently operate in organised groups, acting with impunity, and exploiting the difficulty of swift police response.

Petition The petitioners request that the House of Commons urge the Government to take immediate and effective action to reduce motorcycle theft and improve victim protection, including:

Policing and enforcement
Directing police forces to prioritise motorcycle theft as a serious acquisitive crime, with clear national targets for reduction and detection.
Expanding specialist, proactive units focused on vehicle-enabled crime and organised theft networks.
Increasing visible patrols and rapid-response capability in high-incidence areas, including the use of pursuit-rated tactics where proportionate and safe.
Mandating consistent recording, investigation, and follow-up standards across forces, with transparent, published performance data.
Legislative and sentencing measures
Reviewing and, where necessary, strengthening offences and sentencing guidelines relating to vehicle theft, handling stolen goods, going equipped, and aggravated taking without consent.
Introducing aggravating factors for repeat offending, gang involvement, the use of powered two-wheelers in crime, and possession of tools adapted for theft.
Streamlining powers to seize, search, and forfeit vehicles and equipment linked to theft and “chop shop” operations.
Prevention and disruption
Funding targeted prevention schemes (e.g., secure anchor points, accredited parking, CCTV) in theft hotspots.
Supporting industry-led standards for high-security locks, trackers, and immobilisers, with incentives for adoption.
Establishing a national database to aid rapid identification and recovery of stolen motorcycles and parts, integrated with police systems.
Clarification on reasonable citizen intervention
Providing clear statutory guidance on the lawful scope of reasonable force and detention by private citizens in the prevention of crime and the arrest of offenders, consistent with existing powers under section 24A of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 and the common law of self-defence.
If necessary, legislating to clarify and strengthen protections for individuals who, acting reasonably and proportionately, detain suspected motorcycle thieves pending the arrival of the police.
Cross-government coordination
Requiring a cross-departmental strategy (Home Office, Ministry of Justice, Department for Transport) to combat motorcycle theft, with annual reporting to Parliament on progress, outcomes, and next steps.
Reasons

The rise in motorcycle theft inflicts serious economic loss, threatens livelihoods (including delivery riders and commuters), and endangers public safety during thefts and pursuits.
Consistent and decisive enforcement, coupled with proportionate legal clarity on reasonable citizen intervention, will deter offending, support victims, and restore confidence in the rule of law.
Clear standards, better data, and targeted prevention represent cost-effective measures with measurable impact.
Action requested That the House of Commons call on the Government to implement the measures outlined above as a matter of urgency and to report to Parliament within six months with a detailed plan, timelines, and success metrics for reducing motorcycle theft and improving outcomes for victims