Statistics: At least two motorcycles stolen a day

SIBU: With an average of two motorcycles being stolen every day, combating motorcycle theft remains a big challenge to the local police.

According to police statistics, a total of 127 motorcycles reported stolen during the first 80 days of this year and motorcycle theft cases accounted for nearly 40% of Sibu’s crime index.

Sibu police chief ACP Shafie Ismail said there was at least one motorcycle theft syndicate in active operation in this town.

“After months of investigation, we now know the identities of the members of the syndicate who come from multiracial backgrounds,” he said.

He said that the members consisted of Chinese, Iban and Malay and many among them had past criminal records.

“We will act at an appropriate time to nab them. It is only a matter of time before we cripple this syndicate,” the police chief added.

ACP Shafie said investigations showed that most of the stolen motorcycles were sold to oil palm plantation workers for between RM500 and RM700 per unit.

He appealed to motorcycle owners to be more careful with their machines.

“They should lock them properly. They should also fully utilise the motorcycle parking racks provided by Sibu Municipal Council,” he said.

ACP Shafie noted that presently the facilities located at various parts of the town were seriously under-utilised.

On other crimes such as housebreaking, ACP Shafie noted that this had spread to the outskirts of the town.

He said as preventive measures police and Rela personnel would be sent to patrol these areas.