CYCLISTS are being urged to protect their machines by visiting one of a series of bike surgeries being held over the next two months.

Hambleton and Richmondshire Community Safety Partnership has invested almost £3,000 in secure marking kits, which make the bicycles traceable.

The police’s Safer Neighbourhood teams have now been supplied with 1,000 kits to use at the bike surgeries.

Officers will etch identification on to bikes and put the details on a secure online database.

Inspector Neil Northend said: “People spend a lot of money on buying a bike and many parents will have made that investment this Christmas.

“Bikes are easy targets for thieves, especially if they are not securely stored.

“Our bike surgeries will give people the chance to get their new bike marked and registered on the database.

“Security marking offers peace of mind if your bike is stolen.”

Officers will also be giving advice and guidance on cycle safety.

Surgeries will take place in: Easingwold Market Place, tomorrow, mobile police office, 10am-1.30pm; Thirsk Market Place, Sunday, mobile police office, 10am-1.30pm; Great Ayton Discovery Centre, February 2, 10am-2pm; Scotton Village Hall, February 2, 10am-2pm; Stokesley Town Hall, February 9, 10am-2pm