Criminals are stealing motorcycles to carry out burglaries and other offences across the Island, Police warned yesterday.

Chief Inspector Anthony Mouchette told a press conference that a taskforce had been set up this month to deal with a ?disturbing increase? in the number of break-ins at hotels and private homes.

There were 89 vehicles stolen in June and 45 have been taken already this month. Chief Insp. Mouchette said 18 of those bikes were believed to have been used in other crimes.

?Culprits are using stolen cycles to commit offences in an effort to avoid detection,? said Chief Insp. Mouchette. ?Their modus operandi is that they steal the bike, do a breaking offence and dispose of the bike.

?As a result, a task force has been established and a Police priority list of suspected criminals identified.?

He said the taskforce had arrested 14 people since July 4 on suspicion of burglary, trespassing, assault with intent to rob, possession of a bladed weapon, theft of cycles and theft of handbags.

Nine are facing charges, two have been remanded in custody and three have been released on bail. Two suspects on the priority list are still at large.

Detective Constable Brian Robinson, of the vehicle crime unit, urged bike owners to fit secondary locks to their vehicles and consider getting data tags installed to help Police identify to whom bikes belong if they are recovered.

Police are also encouraging homeowners to step up security after a spate of opportunist burglaries in the past month.

Detective Sergeant Alex MacDonald, from the Police?s crime prevention unit, told the press conference that there had been 112 burglaries in the last four weeks, 49 of which were caused by properties not being secure.

He said doors left slightly ajar, windows not properly closed and air conditioning units without proper fastenings or cage grills provided criminals with easy access.

?The professional criminal, who now works normal hours like everybody else, is attacking these properties or taking the opportunity of moving into these properties,? he said.

?In the summer months people tend to want to ventilate their apartments or houses and they tend to take additional chances by leaving screens or louvered doors or sliding doors ajar. That gives some persons passing the property an opportunity.?

He said there had been about 20 more burglaries in the past month than in the same period last year. ?People are not taking the proper precautions,? he added. ?Just under half of the break-ins we are dealing with could have been avoided if the doors were locked or the screens and windows fastened.

?That?s a very high per cent. The Police can only do so much. It?s up to you to secure your property.?

Det Sgt MacDondald said tourist properties were also being targeted by thieves. ?Tourist apartments and hotel authorities are working with us to encourage guests and guest properties to also be a little bit more vigilant.? The Police are working with Crimestoppers to encourage better home security and the reporting of all break-ins.

A leaflet containing security tips has also been produced and is available at all Police stations and post offices. Suggestions include:

changing locks on new homes,

installing secondary locking devices on sliding doors,

securing both the upper and lower levels of your home,

installing outdoor lighting and intruder alarm systems.

The booklet also contains advice on staying safe at work and on the street and when driving and socialising. It includes a section on sexual assaults and what to do if attacked. Anyone with information about crime in their neighbourhood is urged to call Police on 295-0011 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 1-800-623-8477.