A list of train stations where you bike is most likely to be stolen has been revealed.

Bristol Parkway is the most dangerous place in the south west to leave your bike, having suffered 67 thefts in the last three financial years.

Other repeated targets include Cheltenham Spa (43), Swindon (37) Bristol Temple Meads (27) and Bath Spa (25).

More local stations, as expected had fewer thefts. Yate had four thefts and Stonehouse one, with others such as Stroud, Cam and Dursley and Kemble appearing to not have had any thefts reported in the last three years.

Across the whole of the south west 642 bikes were stolen from 53 train stations over the three-year period.

Nationally 16,725 bikes were taken in the last three years.

In 2016-17, 4,517 bikes were stolen, rising 29 per cent to 5,813 in 2017/18. Thefts rose by a further 10 per cent in 2018 to 6,395.

A British Transport Police spokesperson said: “Unfortunately, bicycles remain a popular target for opportunistic thieves and British Transport Police works closely with train operating companies to improve security at cycle storage facilities.

“To help prevent crime, we urge cyclists to invest in good quality D-locks and ensure their bikes are securely marked and registered at

bikeregister.com

“Getting your cycle registered helps police trace recovered cycles and return them to their owners. Additionally, it makes your property less appealing to would-be thieves."

Sam Jones, senior campaigns officer at the charity Cycling UK, said: "Bicycle theft might seem a relatively minor offence but it is most definitely not. It’s a low risk, high reward crime, with stolen bikes easily changing hands for hundreds or even thousands of pounds on the internet.

“The majority of these bicycles stolen from train stations are not just play things, but are undoubtedly being used as a vital link in someone’s journey to work or school.

“Bike theft is notoriously under-reported, which is one of the reasons it is not given the attention it deserves.

"To help the police prioritise this crime, it’s important if you’re a victim you do report it to the police.”