Bike thieves have been snared by police after being tracked down by a new device which tails them and leads police to the loot.

The scheme has led to the recovery of thousands of pounds worth of stolen bikes during its two-week trial, which was aborted three days early because it had reduced the theft rate so quickly.

Police attached the device to bikes which they planted unlocked in Kingston town centre and waited for thieves to pounce.

Then they followed the bike to where it was taken and usually found more stolen property.

Acting Police Sergeant Ellson, from the Crime Unit at Kingston Police, was in charge of the operation.

Proactive

He said: "This type of operation is part of our emphasis on proactive operations to transfer the fear of crime from potential victims to the perpetrators themselves.

"The surprise on the faces of those arrested was very satisfying and as word spread that police were suddenly appearing from nowhere, the reduction in bike thefts made the operation even more worthwhile."

The idea was to use the bike as bait to uncover other offences, not to entrap those tempted by a one-off theft,

First-time offenders were usually let off with a caution, if they were not working for a handler and if they told the truth.

"The aim of the game was to get to the handlers because they do not come into our hands," said Sgt Ellson.

Kingston Police now look forward to capitalising on this success by introducing the tracker to other targets like cars, televisions and mobile phones.

Police say that the best way to identify your bike is to mark it with your postcode and house number, so it can be returned from anywhere in the country.

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