OPERATION Cobra will turn its teeth on bicycle thieves who plunder one bike every four hours from the streets of York next week.

Police revealed today that bike theft is soaring with six cycles, some worth hundreds of pounds, snatched by thieves every day.

The problem now accounts for seven per cent of all crime in the city and senior officers want bicycle owners to help them stamp it out.

They have organised a two-day, two-wheeled road show in St Sampson's Square where members of York's high profile cycle squad will show people the low down on cycle security.

The move comes six weeks after the launch of Operation Cobra, a campaign backed by the Evening Press which aims to drastically reduce all forms of vehicle crime.

Senior officers have already revealed York's vehicle crime hotspots and the dreadful multi-million pound toll car crime takes on motorists.

Cyclists have been invited to St Sampson's Square on Tuesday and Wednesday, from 9am onwards.

Officers will be on hand to give advice about security and electronic tagging devices that will quickly identify any bicycle for just £4.

They will also be able to give details of special limited discounts on security equipment at Halfords, in Foss Islands Road and Cycle Heaven in Bishopthorpe Road.

PC Paul Hopson, who is responsible for the city centre, said: "At the moment we are running at the rate of six bike thefts per day - which is six too many.

"We are hoping for some fine weather and a good attendance at our two-day safety event."

Jane Mowat, director of Safer York Partnership, said: "Cycle theft accounts for around seven per cent of all crime in York and we are determined to do everything we can to stamp it out.

"The opportunist thief is looking for an easy theft and a quick getaway, so adopting a few basic security measures will make the task more challenging and can make all the difference."

Updated: 10:02 Saturday, May 21, 2005