A ten-point programme addressing motorcycle theft, anti-social behaviour and the use of two-wheelers in wider criminal activity has been launched in the United Kingdom by the National Motorcyclists Council (NMC). Rather than treating each problem as a separate responsibility, the proposal calls for police, government, manufacturers, retailers and rider organisations to work within a coordinated framework.

The NMC says thousands of motorcycles, scooters and mopeds are stolen in the UK every year. It says some of those vehicles are then used in offences involving pedestrians, shops and businesses, as well as in county lines drug activity. The organisation also includes illegal and dangerous riding in the wider problem. It draws attention to high-powered e-bikes too, arguing that they are sometimes incorrectly identified as motorcycles by authorities and local communities.

A coordinated response, not just theft prevention

The consequences described by the NMC extend well beyond the immediate owners of stolen vehicles. Local communities, businesses and police forces can all be affected, while the association between motorcycles and crime may damage the reputation of motorcycling more broadly. The organisation says that this can create pressure for restrictions on motorcycle access in both urban and rural areas when concerns about crime and anti-social behaviour grow.

The proposed framework covers technology and intelligence, better analysis and targeting, vehicle registration measures, enforcement and rider education. The NMC is also seeking closer cooperation among the bodies dealing with motorcycle-related crime. Its position is that previous anti-theft campaigns have not fundamentally changed theft levels, making coordination a central part of the new approach.

The Motorcycle Industry Association (MCIA), which supports the plan, points to some progress. It says motorcycle theft figures in 2025 were almost 15% lower than in 2022, attributing the reduction to industry investment, riders paying more attention to security and stronger police enforcement. Visordown also reported an MCIA statement describing theft as an ongoing serious issue for riders, retailers and the wider industry.

NMC Executive Director Craig Carey-Clinch says that some measures are already moving forward, while others will require long-term investment and partnership. The NMC and MCIA are expected to work with government, police and other organisations as the proposals are developed; some parts of the framework remain aspirational for now. The broader objective is to reduce theft and anti-social use, disrupt criminal networks that use motorcycles, and remove one obstacle to wider acceptance of motorcycling as a form of transport.