From 1st April to 31st July 2012 there was a 16 per cent reduction in cycle thefts compared to the same period last year, representing 1,476 fewer offences.

The MPS has taken a number of steps to reduce this number further:

• In April, launched Project Cycle-ops with British Transport, City of London Police and TfL to tackle cycle related crime; • Completed a joint strategic assessment of recorded cycle crime, identifying 30 key locations in which to focus enforcement and prevention activity; • Security marked and registered over 31,000 bicycles, and given owners practical security. This has increased public awareness and instilled confidence to report cycle thefts. A number of stolen cycles have been successfully restored to victims as a result of this exercise.

I anticipate that we will continue to see a reduction in cycle thefts despite a backdrop of the number of cycle journeys increasing by 15 per cent.