HAMPSHIRE police are staging an event today in a bid to stop a growing number of cycle thefts in Southampton.

Officers will be at the Marlands Shopping Centre in the city from midday selling bike security equipment.

The force recommends cyclists use D-Locks to secure their bikes when they are not in use.

They will be given out at discounted prices at an event in the shopping centre today.

The initiative comes after the Daily Echo reported how Southampton has seen an increase in cycle thefts over the last month.

More than 50 bikes worth thousands of pounds were stolen within weeks of each other in the city last month.

The 54 bicycles were stolen from locations in the city centre and around the area during a spate of thefts from hotspot areas.

Officers from the British Transport Police (BTP) are also clamping down on the crime at stations in the area.

Officers from Hampshire Constabulary have launched a major campaign called Operation D-Lock to crack down on the crime.

They are also increasing patrols in the area and ensuring people are using robust enough locks to secure their bikes.

Police launched Operation D-Lock where they will be hunting down the perpetrators and holding engagement events across the city in the coming weeks to promote bike security like D-Locks and Immobilise.com to deter thieves.

BTP have also stepped up patrols to deter bicycle thieves outside Southampton Central railway station.

The drive is being launched in conjunction with a bike registering scheme called ‘Lock It Mark It’ to educate passengers about the importance of securely locking bikes when they are left at stations.

Anyone who has information on bike theft or has been offered a bike for sale in suspicious circumstances can call 101 – or 999 in an emergency.