CRIME prevention officers are enlisting the help of cycle shop owners in the battle against cycle thefts.

So far this year 197 bikes - worth more than £35,000 - have been stolen around Pendle.

Nelson PC Peter Bartnik wants customers to use a new leaflet to record details about their bikes so that they are more easily identifiable.

Many recovered stolen bikes have to be sent for auction because they cannot be positively identified.

He is holding cycle post-coding and advice sessions at Nelson police station on Saturday, November 23 and Friday, December 27.

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