BIKES in Northwich are under police protection after officers teamed up with a cycling club.

Northwich Police gave more than 100 security tags to members of Weaver Valley Cycling Club as part of an ongoing scheme to deter bike thieves.

Sgt Gary Weaver, from Northwich Local Policing Unit, said: "With the increased popularity of cycling over recent years it goes without saying that people are purchasing more bikes and related equipment.

"Often the bikes are expensive and unfortunately this makes them attractive to potential thieves.

"In Northwich I want to deter these potential thieves and make the idea of stealing bikes as least attractive as possible.

"Over recent months we have been promoting bike security throughout the area and have been handing out hundreds free security tags to bike owners.

"We’ve worked closely with Halfords in Northwich and now with the Weaver Valley Cycling Club to get the message about bike security out."

The tags are fitted within the bike frame and emit a unique ID that is registered on the national property register and linked to all UK police forces.

Adrian Japp, Weaver Valley Cycling Club's secretary, said: "It’s a welcome initiative from the local constabulary to support local clubs in the fight against cycle theft, and we were pleased to be approached by the police to be involved in the scheme.

"As it says on the ImmobiTag web site, there is a bike stolen every 71 seconds in the UK.

"We’re all attached to our bikes, and would hate to see them stolen.

"If the worst did happen though, it is of some comfort that there is a unique and non-removable device sat in the bike that can be scanned and linked to the owner, giving more chance to get the bike back.

"Many cycles are also under-insured, so owners rarely get complete remuneration for their loss.

"It’s also good for the police as they are fitted with a label as a deterrent, good for the insurers in terms of their claims costs and ultimately good for our insurance premiums."

Sgt Weaver offered the following advice to keep cycles safe from thieves:

- When at home keep your bike in a secure garage or shed and keep the door locked, keep it out of public view, secure it to an immovable object.

- When leaving your bike out and about avoid isolated or dimly lit places and ensure you lock your bike securely to a solid immovable object.

- Always keep a record of your bike’s make, model and frame number and ideally keep a colour photo of your bike – this will assist the police in recovering and returning any stolen bikes to their rightful owners.

- If anybody finds themselves unfortunate enough to be the victim of bike theft they should contact the police immediately.

Anyone who has any information relating to any bike theft or other crime should ring Cheshire Police on 101 or anonymously through Crimestoppers.