Honda's UK arm is to start fitting all of its new motorbikes with the Master Security Scheme.

The programme, which involves special `marking' of the bike and its key parts to make tracing and identifying the bike and its components much easier, has been developed by manufacturers in conjunction with the police and security systems manufacturer Datatag.

As part of the scheme Datatag will operate a secure bike registration infrastructure and a call centre, all of which has the backing of the Metropolitan Police as part of that force's fight against motorcycle crime.

Honda reports that around 26,000 motorbikes are stolen every year in the UK, and more than 20,000 end up back in dealerships. From April 1 all of its on-road bikes will be fitted with the new security measures, while its off-road machines will also benefit from the technology as of May 1.

According to Honda a similar scheme has been employed in the agricultural and heavy plant machinery market sector and has been running successfully since 2006.

It has been reported that agricultural machines fitted with the security markings are four times less likely to be stolen and are six times more likely to be recovered if they are taken illegally.

Nick Campolucci, head of Honda (UK) Motorcycles said: "We are acutely aware of the very real and serious threat that motorcycle theft poses for our industry and the impact this has on consumer confidence for potential entrants and existing riders within our community.

"We are in full support of the Master Security Scheme and will make it available across our entire range of motorcycles both on- and off-road. Furthermore it will be free of charge to our customers.

"We hope that our support of the scheme, alongside many other manufacturers, will promote standardisation across the industry and begin a long-term reduction in motorcycle crime."