CYCLISTS are being warned to take extra care when securing their bicycles in the city centre with bike theft figures having risen by almost 1,000 per cent in four years.

An FOI to West Mercia Police has revealed the number of reported thefts of pushbikes in Worcestershire has gone up from 76 in 2012/13 to 828 in 2016/17 – an increase of 989.5 per cent.

Officers have been performing extra safety patrols and raising awareness in the city centre, following a spate of recent bike thefts.

PC Paul Lambon, of Worcester City Centre Safer Neighbourhood Team, was seen on Thursday afternoon putting police tape and a warning sign on a bike rack on Fish Street after four bikes were stolen there.

He said: “We advise bike owners to secure their bikes using a good quality lock as all of the bikes stolen have used versions of the common flexi cable lock and we would recommend at least using a D-Lock for a valuable bike.

“This is just the first phase of our cycle security campaign that will be followed up with a property marking events and further enforcement action.”

Councillor Louis Stephen, Green Party member representing Battenhall ward on the city council, called the security scheme a “very welcome initiative” to help encourage more people to cycle rather than drive.

“There are quite a lot of barriers preventing people using bikes rather than getting in the car, and they include things like lights on bikes and helmets, but one of the things that puts people off is security.

“People need a good place to secure their bike. That means good bike racks, which are well-lit and with CCTV coverage.

“But cyclists also need to play their part by locking their bikes with decent quality locks,” he said.

“Recently, we have just had new bike racks installed in various spots, which is helpful, but then you have some places like Foregate Street where the rack is really crammed full of bikes.

“That perhaps leads people to lock their bike in less secure places. Lampposts or a drain pipe, which could be pulled off the wall.”

Survey results published this month by cycling and walking advocacy group Sustrans found that just six per cent of people in the UK cycled to work.

Cllr Stephen admitted there is a “long way to go” before that figure increases but said it is something which has to be done to fight the “big problem of congestion” in Worcester.

“We feel it would be very good to encourage people to cycle more often to help with air quality, congestion and health – there is a problem with obesity, for example – and we need the support of local authorities,” he said.

He went on to say employers should also play their part by installing changing rooms and shower facilities at work places.

Cllr Ken Pollock, cabinet member for economy and infrastructure, said: "Worcestershire County Council works in partnership with public, private and third sector organisations to encourage cycling across the county.

"Our updated Local Transport Plan outlines our ambitions to promote walking and cycling as transport modes of choice, including an investment programme in continuous 'Active Travel Corridors'.

"These will be progressively rolled out to link areas together, including important connections to railway stations, enabling residents to leave their cars at home for longer journeys.

"We continue to invest in improving infrastructure for cyclists and walking building on the success of the Connect2 and Choose How You Move projects.

"A number of other schemes have taken place to improve signage, safety and links for cyclists.

"We have also worked with the transport charity SUSTRANS to promote the national cycling network across Worcestershire.

"Cycling plays a significant role in helping people to be more active, as well as having a significant impact on reducing carbon emissions.

"We periodically revisit our cycling policy and strategy to ensure that residents and visitors have access to a wide range of services, facilities and leisure opportunities on two wheels."