POLICE are predicting the number of bike thefts will in York will rise by 450 this year as a cycle crime wave sweeps the city.

New figures produced by Safer York Partnership have revealed “significant” increases in the number of bikes being stolen over recent months, with a forecast there will be 41 per cent more incidents this year than in 2009/10.

The report also shows police expect York to see 500 more overall crimes in 2010/11 than they did last year, although serious robberies and thefts, criminal damage and offences involving vehicles have shown a decrease.

Vehicle crime was slightly up, theft from vehicles was down, and domestic burglary was slightly above police targets.

The report also said assault with injury was causing concern and was predicted to be nine per cent up on last year’s figures.

The report said the rise in cycle crime had significantly contributed to York’s overall crime picture rising.

During April, May, June and July 526 bikes were stolen, with the level being well over a target of 96.

Police estimate there could be 1,578 bike thefts by the end of the year, compared with their target of 1,152.

Micklegate, Huntington, Hull Road, University of York and York College were all targeted areas, as were York Hospital and the bike racks in Kings Square, Museum Gardens, Parliament Street, Wellington Row/Tanners Moat and St Helen’s Square.

The report shows that:

• 92 per cent of the detected cycle thieves live in York.

• 23 per cent of the cycle thieves also live within 500m of the location they stole the bike from.

• 99 per cent of bike thieves are male and 75 per cent are under 25 years old.

The Press reported earlier this year that five bikes a day were now being stolen in York.

Police say a large proportion of the thefts are due to owners leaving bikes unlocked, using inadequate locks or leaving their biked in inadequate and unsafe areas.