South Metropolitan Crime Prevention officer Paul Sampson said the ease with which motorcycles and scooters could be carried away and the possibility of bored youths during holidays could be the reason behind the massive jump in the past few months.
In the past 12 months, numbers were at their lowest in April 2012, with only seven motorcycle thefts and three scooter thefts.
However that number has steadily increased, reaching its peak in January 2013 with 17 motorcycle thefts and 20 scooter thefts, a combined 16 more instances than the previous month of 10 motorcycle and 11 scooter thefts.
Sgt Sampson said it was a trend police wanted to end.
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READ NOW‘This is a drain on police resources and the offenders often use the stolen bikes to assist in the commission of other offences, such as burglary and assaults,’ he said. ‘The only way this can be averted is for owners to take responsibility of their property.’
Sgt Sampson said motorcycle and scooter owners should be vigilant in locking them up and keeping them out of sight.
‘To curb this trend, a responsible attitude has to be adopted by owners and parents who have given these vehicles to children,’ he said.