Tracker Nails Motorcycle Thieves

Most were high performance superbikes worth in total close to Rs 7 million.

A Honda CBR1000 RR-5 motorcycle fitted with a Tracker unit was reported stolen from London and its unit was activated. Its tracking signal was soon picked up by a patrolling police officer.

The devices work like an electronic homing device: a concealed transmitter is hidden on the machine and will even detect when the motorcycle is being moved - even if the ignition is not turned on.

Tracker uses a "mesh network" and in this case 44 other vehicles in the area picked up the signal, enabling police to locate the stolen motorcycle at a farm in the town of Upminster, Essex, along with a large number of other stolen vehicles.

This network creates an added defence against vehicle theft by using other cars fitted with Tracker units to act as listening devices and identify passing stolen vehicles.

A signal is then automatically sent to Tracker offices, giving the location of the stolen vehicle – even if it is hidden in the back of a van, a garage, a container or in an underground car park.

One of the Essex police officers said: “Vehicle theft continues to be a problem, with organised gangs stealing expensive vehicles to ship abroad. Motorbikes are particularly vulnerable as they are usually whipped away on the back of a van, then broken down for parts.”

Tracker is the only vehicle tracking system operated by all 52 police forces in the UK.

Police liaison manager for Tracker, Adrian Davenport, said:  "This was a tremendous result for Tracker and Essex Police as it highlights the fact that motorcycle theft is a big problem in the UK."