A BICYCLE roadshow organised by the police is coming to the Cotswolds to educate people about keeping their bikes safe from theives.

The roadshow continues today (Tuesday) in Tetbury and will also come to Cirencester on Friday, August 22.

With such a warm summmer, cyclists have taken to the road in their hundreds, making the best of the weather.

But bike thieves are also on the move, targeting unsecured bikes.

Bikes can be marked, and cyclists can receive free advice today at Tetbury Tesco car park between 10am-3pm and also on Friday, August 22 in Cirencester Market Place from 9am-4pm.

Last year alone, nearly 2,100 bikes were stolen county-wide which is 160 more than in 2012.

Bikes are grabbed from all sorts of locations, including homes, churches, sports grounds, canal banks, pubs, docks and schools, as well as actual cycling events.

It is a fact that many people don’t know the model of their bikes, haven not registered or security coded them, and have no photos of them.

Gloucestershire Police have joined forces with ‘Gloucestershire Crimestoppers’ and the city’s cycling community' to promote bike security and help protect their bikes.

The aim is for every bike to be linked beyond doubt to a specific owner, giving thieves no excuse for being in possession of that bike.

Police harm reduction advisor Kim Mowday said: “The campaign is proving extremely popular. We have so far taken the roadshow to Cheltenham, Gloucester and Coleford and hundreds of people have come along to talk to us, get their bikes security marked , buy industry-approved bike locks, and catch up on security tips. As a result, hopefully a lot of bikes won’t be stolen that might otherwise have been."

Advisors and specialists from across the county will be on hand at the roadshows to provide advice and guidance, including police officers, PCSO's, The Gloucestershire Bike Project, Gloucestershire Crimestoppers and council representatives.