The U.K. government has been backing more initiatives lately to encourage its population to adopt a more active lifestyle, with bicycles being touted as an excellent alternative to driving to work. However, according to Home Office statistics, nearly every minute, a bike is being stolen. Central London, Kingston-upon Thames, and Cambridge are the hotspots, too, and SOS Response wants to do something about it, and has partnered with MediaBurst to get things done.
They’ve developed the W.A.S.P. (Wireless Asset Security Protection) Cycle Monitoring System which allows cyclists to lockup their transports in secure, monitored areas. To activate the lock on their bike, owners send a quick SMS to a security control room. From there, the lock is monitored and any tampering sets of a movement sensor, which emits a silent alarm. The closed-circuit TV system then zooms in on the situation to record it and verify that it’s not a forgetful owner. If it looks like a thief, a police officer can be quickly dispatched to the scene. Typically, the would-be bandit will release the goods, but if not, they’ve got him on video for prosecution.
The system was tested out in Portsmouth last winter, and bike theft was decreased by 90%, which is pretty cool. Future rollouts will be nationwide and could include motor bikes and scooters.
My oh my whoever invented that concept must be a Yank surely! To rely upon sending the Old Bill to catch a suspect bike thief in London or anywhere else in the UK come to that is wonderfully naive. Could try the new CCTV with audio they’re talking about installing all over the place and ask the thief to hang around for 2-3 hours or even leave his address maybe but jeeez relying on the police within a short timeframe…nah!! My company have a software to track stolen laptops that would track them via IP address and then pass the info to the police…response in UK from the relevant “Authorities” was “it’s not a 999” neither is nicking a bike!! Better off putting an alert straight through to Ken Livingstone’s barmy lot as they would hate the thought of all these bikes getting stolen after forcing Londoners to pay charges here, there and everyf*ckin’where for their precious bike lanes! Let them send the bike lane security corp around or some such – there ya go Ken…another idea to levy a charge. Probably include this in the price of WASP. lol
How about auto brake – sends a signal from your mobile to the chip on bike that locks the brakes/gears.