POLICE helped commuters avoid bike thefts by etching security codes on to frames outside Oxford’s railway station.

Officers from British Transport Police’s team based at the station marked bikes and promoted bike security measures on Thursday. Cycles were etched with a unique number to help police return them to their owners if they are stolen.

Pc Roddy Brown, pictured right, with cyclist Andy Bramwell, said bike thefts at the station had fallen dramatically since BTP reopened their Oxford base in February last year.

He said: “When we first came here we probably had one bike stolen every six days, but that has fallen to one every six or seven weeks.

“But we wanted to make sure people knew that it does still occur and that they need to take precautions.

“We find a lot of people who have £1,000 bikes buy a £10 lock. We are advising them that if you are going to spend that kind of money on a bike, it’s best to buy a better lock.”

The officers hold etching events every few months but Pc Brown said members of the public were always welcome to contact BTP officers at the station to get their bike tagged.

He added: “It only takes five minutes, so if people come and see us we will do it.”

The Oxford BTP team can be contacted on 07917 177736. Picture: OX52020 Jessica Mann