A TEAM of police officers mounted on cycles joined foot patrols, plain clothes and council CCTV operators to stamp out bike thefts.

The operation in St Helens town centre saw two men arrested on suspicion of theft of a cycle, while a woman was arrested on suspicion of three thefts and subsequently charged with one.

The first day of spring arrives tomorrow (March 20)) and more cyclists are heading out on the roads prompting a security warning from St Helens Neighbourhood Police Team.

Neighbourhood Sergeant for St Helens town centre, Mark Stanistreet advised cyclists to secure their bikes with a strong chain and a sound lock and park them where they are visible to deter thieves.

He said: "I would urge everyone to record their bicycle's details, including the frame number, for free, on the www.immobilise.com website. We recover lots of bikes but have little prospect of returning them to their owners if they are not registered.”