THE chairman of Southampton Cycling Campaign Jon Bingham said activists are “aware” of the issue but feel it is related to a general crime rise and “reduced policing levels”.

He added the following safety advice:

Don’t leave expensive bicycles in public spaces for extended lengths of time if you can avoid it – or leave them unlocked if you are just ‘popping into a shop’;

For regular commuting use an older less desirable bike and cover up branding with tape;

Always use at least two locks and attach your bike to a metal bike rack, or railings. D-locks and short chain locks tend to be the best – look for the Sold Secure Gold standard. Use two different designs so that the thief has to use a different tool to break it;

Use a cable lock to secure your saddle and wheels – they can be cut in just a few seconds so are not a deterrent on their own, but may stop your wheels being stolen;

Keep your bike in a garage, shed or a lock up at work, and keep it locked even when inside. Bikes should be secured to a metal ring or something immovable;

Remove accessories such as lights, panniers and pumps;

Register your bike frame number with a national database such as bikeregister.com and immobilise.com and put a sticker on the bike;

Do not post your Strava data online if it starts and ends at your home. Thieves can find out where the expensive carbon fibre bikes are kept using this information;

Put a GPS tracker inside the frame – this helps the police track your bike down.