In an effort to crack down on the increasing number of bike thefts in the city, the Victoria police will be expanding its bait bike program following the success of a pilot program.
The program focuses on using GPS technology attached to a locked bike in areas experiencing a high rate of bike theft. On the second deployment, the bait bike was stolen and a prolific bike thief was quickly apprehended and charged.
The program is now being expanded with four more bikes and tracking units, including an E-bike.
Acting chief Del Manak said officers are regularly seizing stolen bikes worth $4,000 that people have bought on the street for $50.
Police have identified a group of about 10 people in the city as prolific bike thieves, and encourage citizens to register their bikes through the department’s registry.