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Riders told to lock up bikes as thefts soar

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Thefts of motorcycles have shot up this year - and the Boxing Day tsunami is partly to blame, say police. They are urging riders to ensure their bikes are securely locked.

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In the first six months of the year 252 motorcycles were stolen, a 28 per cent rise over the 197 taken in the same period last year.

Thefts for all of last year were 441, compared with 334 in 2003.

Kowloon West regional crime prevention officer Chief Inspector Sandra Chui Yui-luen said the increase was related to the Indian Ocean tsunami, the relaxation on the cylinder capacity of motorcycles in Taiwan in 2002, and racing competitions in Zhuhai and Macau.

'Tsunami-hit countries require a replenishment of motorcycles,' she said. Bikes were also being stolen for shipment to Taiwan and for racing.

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Fifty-seven bikes were stolen in Kowloon West in the first seven months of the year. Only two of the 57 were taken from public car parks, while the rest were parked on the roadside, police said.

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