Crackdown on motorbike theft in Dover

Officers in Dover are continuing to clamp down on vehicle theft following reports of motorbikes and mopeds being stolen from across the town.

Several bikes are alleged to have been taken from addresses in St Radigund’s, Whitfield and Buckland between January and May 2026.

Measures taken

Reports have also been received of mopeds being ridden without number plates and in an antisocial manner.

Measures being taken in response to the incidents include increased, high-visibility patrols in target areas, proactive vehicle stops and engagement with local partners.

Charges brought

A number of arrests have been made in relation to the alleged offences. Three boys, aged between 14 and 17, previously charged in connection with the theft of a Honda moped from Monins Road, and a Kawasaki motorbike from Oswald Road, remain on bail with conditions and are due to appear before Folkestone Magistrates’ Court at a later date.

Dover District Commander, Chief Inspector Liz Cokayne-Delves, said: ‘We fully understand the distressing impact that vehicle theft has on owners and the wider community, and the inconvenience that is caused when people rely on such property for work and daily life.‘We are using a number of enforcement options to tackle these issues and I would encourage residents to report all suspicious activity to police as soon as possible, so that we can track down culprits swiftly. My officers will always pursue the most robust options available to them, including prosecution where appropriate.‘Regular bail checks are being carried out to ensure compliance with curfews and restrictions that have been put in place.‘While the reports are being fully investigated, I would also like to remind bike owners of steps that can be taken to safeguard their property, which include parking bikes securely, using locks, removing keys and covering vehicles when not in use.’

For further information on preventing motorcycle and moped theft, visit the dedicated pages on the Kent Police website.