MOTOR-CYCLE THEFTS

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28256, 18 April 1957, Page 7

MOTOR-CYCLE THEFTS

Conversion For Joy-riding

‘‘When a motor-cycle is reported missing, it has usually been converted for joy-riding,” said a police officer yesterday. He was commenting on the large number of motor-cycles that are reported missing in Christchurch.

“Mostly youths between the ages of 15 and 17 are responsible,” he said. ‘‘They take a motorcycle. ride it for a few miles, and then leave it in some littleused place. It is not taken home because a parent or guardian would become suspicious.” Although a large number of motor-cycles reported missing are not locked, there is usually some precaution taken against theft. A secret switch on the larger motorcycles. connecting the ignition circuit, is a common method used to deter thieves. Routine Checks Routine checks by the police usually lead to a missing motorcycle. . A motor-cycle that was reported missing from Hagley Park last Saturday was recovered after two days by the police. ‘‘Sometimes the motor-cycles are badly damaged when recovered,” said another officer. ‘‘One was taken from a street in Christchurch, in November last year. After a week it was recovered from the estuary at Sumner. ‘‘On an average about two or three motor-cycles are reported missing every day in a year. Some are taken only so that parts can be removed,” he said. According to the official more two-stroke motor-cycles are reported missing than four-strokes. He said he thought there was only one motor-cycle in Christchurch that had not been recovered in the last three years.