YORK cyclists are more likely to have their bicycle stolen than those in any other part of the North Yorkshire Police area as thieves made off with an average of more than five every day last year.

New police figures reveal that the number of bicycle thefts in York rose by almost 20 per cent in the year to March 31, with 600 machines taken in the city centre alone, almost a third of the 1,834 stolen in the whole of the city area.

Sergeant Bob Mowat said York is a "hotbed" of cycle crime, with the vast majority of North Yorkshire's 2,600 cycle thefts during that period taking place within the city.

He said: "Last year, 1,834 bicycles were stolen, more than six per cent of all crime. Many of those bikes were either left insecure or the owner had used a lock or chain which was not strong enough."

Community officers hope the worrying statistics will encourage cyclists to securely lock up their bikes every time, whether at home or on the street, with good quality equipment.

Police are encouraging bike owners with digital cameras to photograph their bike and to record the frame number with details of any unique marks and scratches.

They believe that thieves, many of whom use bicycles themselves, look out for "easy pickings" in insecure sheds and garages, as well as outside shops and businesses.

Andy Shrimpton, owner of Cycle Heaven, in Bishopthorpe Road, York, and a director of the Association of Cycle Traders, said: "Cheap locks are a false economy. Any new bike is worth spending an extra £30 on to prevent it being stolen."

PC Richard Gatecliffe, who has been investigating the impact of cycle theft, said: "We all know that cycles are a great way of getting about, which is exactly why burglars and thieves use them.

"The best way to defeat them is to make the job of stealing a bike as difficult as possible."

Paul Barrett, of City of York Council, said: "Cycle racks are provided in many places in the city centre, but they are only of any use if locks or chains used to secure the bikes are of good enough quality."

If you have any ideas on how to prevent cycle theft, please write to: Sergeant Mowat, York Centre for Safer Communities, Lower Friargate, York, YO1 9SL.

Updated: 10:22 Thursday, June 24, 2004