David Wiles checks out the latest security devices to beat the moped thieves

MOPEDS are one of this year's must-haves for both the style-conscious teenager and the time-conscious commuter, with sales mushrooming over the summer months.

But while they are being bought in record numbers, York's thieves are also enjoying a bonanza and have turned moped theft into one of the city's most common crimes.

In the last three months alone, 99 have been stolen in the city - that's more than one a day.

They are taken from sheds, garages, roadsides and car parks - and all it takes is just a few seconds of inattention by the owners. Even more frustrating, from the police point of view, is the fact the owners are often failing to make use of the dozens of security devices on the market which could foil the moped thieves.

Anti-crime equipment varies from simple chains and padlocks to electronic alarms.

York police's community safety officer PC Jim Shanks said a small investment on security could protect the £1,000-plus investment you made on your moped.

"If bikes were secured properly there wouldn't be nearly so many thefts in the city," he said.

"Bike owners make it far too easy for the thief, but if you make it awkward for them - even by delaying them for just five minutes with good quality locks - it could make all the difference."

With the help of PC Shanks we checked out a few of the best and most effective ways of ensuring your moped remains yours.

One basic, but effective, method of securing your moped at home is with a ground anchor. These are solid metal hoops which are cemented or bolted into the ground or wall, which give you something to lock your machine to. They can cost anything from £30 to £80.

When you're out and about, shackle locks, also known as D-locks, are good for fixing your moped to street furniture, such as lampposts. One of these will set you back anything from £25 for a cheap version to £90.

Rope locks are more flexible and can be used for attaching your bike to virtually anything solid, and have the added advantage of locking your helmet on as well. These cost about £30, but are generally not as strong as the more traditional chain locks.

Chain locks are very strong and solid, but can be very heavy to carry slung over your shoulder. You could pay anything from £14 to £150.

Much smaller and more portable are disc locks, which attach to the moped's brake disc. Top-of-the-range models incorporate an audible alarm, but a shortcoming is that a thief could still lift your bike into a van without having to remove the lock. Disc locks cost from £10 to £60.

Bike security expert Tony Hunter, of M&P Lifestyle in Walmgate, York, says the best way to ensure your bike does not become just another crime statistic is to mix and match security products.

"The safest option is to buy a good quality disc lock, a chain and a ground anchor," he says.

"Then your bike will be secure when you are out and about, and you can lock it firmly to the ground at home. You get the best of both worlds."

He also recommends looking for the Sold Secure logo, which reassures you that it will take at least five minutes to breach your moped's security.

Most thieves won't have the patience to try for that long - they will have moved onto the next bike.