POLICE are looking to tackle a rise in the number of bicycle thefts in the city centre.

Notts Police haven't released details on the exact number of thefts but a spokesman said: "There is a noticeable increase in the theft of pedal cycles from all five of the city centre beats.

"This mirrors an increase in cycle theft across the city division as a whole.

"No particular types of bike are being targeted."

Police say they are working to find a pattern and see where the main locations of the thefts tend to be.

The spokesman said in and around the Broadmarsh and Victoria shopping centres tended to be hot spots.

Meanwhile, the train station has agreed to remove the rack outside its premises as many bikes were being targeted there.

The spokesman added: "We will work with our partners to encourage use of secure storage available at Broadmarsh Bus station, the White Zone of Victoria Centre car park and the cycle hub at the train station.

"We will work closely with the British Transport Police based at the railway station to encourage information sharing and joint operations to identify and catch offenders."

Police are also pledging to do operations to try to catch some of the offenders.

Those who are caught will be given anti-social behaviour orders.

The spokesman added: "We will target second-hand shops and auctions across the city and county who may be dealing in stolen cycles.

"We will increase patrols in the relevant areas at peak times to reduce opportunity for thieves.

"This will also involve identifying poor security and advising riders accordingly."

Anyone with information or wanting to report a bike theft can call Notts Police on 0300 300 99 99.