A HI-tech bicycle lock which can sense when a thief takes a bike and then alert CCTV cameras has been developed by a Hampshire firm.

Together with the University of Portsmouth, Winchester designers SoS Response have come up with the device, which it is hoped will stop bike thieves getting away scot-free.

It is the brainchild of Hampshire police officer Dave Fairbrother and begins working when the owner locks up a bike at a special rack and sends a text message to a security office.

If someone moves or tries to take the bicycle, a sensor in the lock emits a silent alarm.

This triggers a CCTV camera to zoom in on the bicycle's location. An alarm is also sent to security staff who can view the live CCTV footage and send out a guard if necessary.

The £6,000 system has undergone a three-week trial at Portsmouth University.

PC Fairbrother said: "Bicycle theft is a huge problem and, in the past, it was often luck if a bicycle thief was caught. The CCTV cameras could be pointing the wrong way.

"This technology means any attempted theft of locked bicycles will result in the thief being captured on camera. The motion sensor lock will also act as a deterrent. I want to make criminals think twice."

SoS Response hope the system will be adopted by universities, councils and businesses nationwide. MD Leonard Weaver said: "This solution to bike thefts is unique. It is the first of its kind and has huge potential for a wide range of applications."