The Tour de France may have triggered a spate of bicycle thefts in the borough, according to the council.

Officers suspect criminals have been inspired by television coverage of the race, which finished last week.

According to Steve Selby, from the community safety division, the thieves seem to be too stingy to finance their own hobbies.

In a message sent to the Hillside Neighbourhood Watch website, he wrote: “Quite a lot of bicycles have been stolen across the borough recently, possibly encouraged by the coverage of the Tour de France.

“Many of them are from apparently secure locations, such as underground car parks and garden sheds.

“If you have a bicycle, please ensure that it is securely locked to an immovable object, and that the lock you use is of a decent quality.”

Cyclists are advised to lock their front wheel to their frame and make a record of the frame number.

Borough safer neighbourhood teams (SNTs) run property marking schemes.

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