POLICE are issuing bikes with "security strips" as part of a crackdown on cycle theft.
The strips contain a code, which will enable the owner to find out if the lock is unsuitable or not strong enough.
Sergeant Adrian Marsden, of the Wyke neighbourhoood team, said: "Thieves see bikes as easy to steal because it can often be done quickly and, as far as they are concerned, they are easy to get rid of. They can also be worth a lot of money, with some costing more than £1,000.
"Cycle theft is an issue across the city, but we really want to prevent it happening as well as reducing it."
Between January 1 and May 2, 304 bikes were stolen in Hull – not including those taken from sheds, garages and houses.
Sgt Marsden said: "That is a lot. Every single day of every single week, more than one bike is being stolen.
"If people don't take steps to protect their bike, then they can end up as another statistic.
"Cycling is very popular in Hull and we just want people to be switched on when they are going out on them."
Most of the bikes have been taken from schools, colleges or outside shopping areas.
Officers from the Wyke team have been given the cycle security strips to add to bikes while they are out on patrol.
Each strip features a letter from A to I, which all have different meanings. Owners can then log on to the Humberside Police website to view their advice.
Sgt Marsden said: "The PCSOs will go out and, when they see a bike, they will add a strip to it.
"It could be they are using a great lock or it could be because they have left their bike unsecured or we don't think the lock they are using is sufficient.
"We want people to be aware that someone will be out there watching their bike.
"Some people will pop to the shop, go in, and leave their bike outside. But it only takes a few seconds for somebody to have their bike away."
Posters urging people to consider cycle security are also being put up at bike racks and outside shops, where people leave their bikes.
Sgt Marsden said it is important for cyclists to buy a high-quality lock for the bike.
"Thieves are using different methods to steal bikes, and are getting away with them whether they are locked or unlocked. People are putting them on bike racks, locked up, and they are still getting them off," he said.
"We have had cases where thieves are using bolt croppers to cut locks. The most important thing people can do is buy a decent lock. If you buy a cheap one, it can be pulled apart or cut very quickly.
"A more expensive, better quality lock will take much longer, which may put off potential thieves.
"I don't advise any particular type, but I would advise people do not scrimp on it."
He also said cyclists should register their bikes on Immobilise, an online database, which police check when they recover stolen items.
Sgt Marsden said: "This helps us to identify the bike if it is stolen and get it back to the correct owner.
"There is also a tag which is similar to a microchip and is placed in the stem of the saddle. The police have scanners we can use to check the chip, which also helps us to identify the owner of the bike."
Visit www.humberside. police.uk or call 101 to contact your local neighbourhood policing team.
