POLICE are urging motorcyclist to ensure their bikes are safe following a spate of thefts.

Ten motorcycles have been stolen from the Bangor and Caernarfon areas in the past month.

Sgt Dafydd Curry said: “We are advising everyone who owns a motorcycle to ensure their vehicles are secure and not easily accessible or visible, following the increase in thefts from the north Gwynedd area.”

Anyone who may have witnessed suspicious activity relating to the theft of motorcycles or anyone who may have been offered a motorcycle for sale is asked to contact Bangor police station on 101 or use the live webchat https://www.north-wales.police.uk/contact/live-chat-support

Security tips have also issued to keep motorbikes or scooters safe.

They include: having a professionally fitted electronic immobiliser,

always use security devices such as chains, padlocks, disc locks and D locks.

Secure motorbikes to a solid object that can’t be moved, always put a steering lock on and when not using the motorbike or scooter, put it in a garage or a secure outbuilding with a fixed or ground anchor.

Fit a good lock and an alarm system to your garage or outbuilding.

Don’t leave your garage open and make sure your vehicle is covered up, even at home.

Some motorbikes and scooters are stolen to order, so a motorbike spotted by a thief today could be stolen tomorrow.

Safer parking advice for your motorbike and scooter.

When possible, avoid leaving your helmet or other accessories on your motorbike or scooter or in a luggage space on panniers.

Use a parking space built specially for motorbikes or scooters. Look for one that has achieved the police approved safer parking award-Park Mark. Find out more at: www.parkmark.co.uk

Security mark your vehicle and as many parts of it as possible.

Use an engraving kit or a security marker pen to mark your motorbike or scooter with identifying details, such as the vehicle registration number or postcode.

use an engine cut-off switch, fit this switch after you have bought your vehicle so a potential thief doesn’t know where it is located on your motorbike or scooter.