Bike thefts from a paid parking space run by the district collectorate in the capital has prompted a security beef-up.

Two motorbikes were stolen from the lot on October 29 and November 4. FIRs were lodged at Kotwali police station but none of the vehicles could be traced.

Deputy commissioner K.K. Soan has started the system of commuters paying to park their vehicles in the basement of the district collectorate. Speaking to The Telegraph on Tuesday, Soan said he has directed the manager of the parking space to be more vigilant than usual.

“Earlier the vehicle number was not registered in the token given to a person before accepting his vehicle for parking. Miscreants took advantage of this by riding off in bikes that did not belong to them,” said Hemant Kumar Sahu, who is in charge of managing the parking lot.

He admitted that after the district administration’s directive, all registration numbers were being written in the token before accepting vehicles.

“In case of new vehicles without number plates, the driver has to sign in. A four member team has also been deputed to keep vigil in the parking lot,” he said.

Paid parking space was opened in August 2. As many as 1,100 vehicles, including 40 four-wheelers are parked here every day.

Rs 5 and Rs 10 is charged for parking of two-wheelers and four-wheelers respectively. Sahu had assured to pay Rs 4.21 lakh per annum to the district administration and has already given Rs 1.58 lakh.