CYCLISTS in Darlington are to be randomly stopped by police as part of a crackdown on bike theft.

Operation Antiquarian has been launched to tackle the rising number of bicycle thefts in the town.

Throughout this month and next, police will stop cyclists and ask them to prove that the bike they are riding belongs to them.

Inspector Sue Collingwood, of Darlington Community Safety Partnership, said: "This isn't to frighten the legitimate user. If it is your bike you have got nothing to worry about.

"We are not expecting people to carry all the paperwork concerning their bike with them. In fact, we would rather they left it in a safe place at home.

"But we will be stopping cyclists a bit more and engaging with them and asking for identification about their bike. We will be able to gauge from the questions we ask whether they know the bike well."

Since the start of April there have been 26 reports of stolen bicycles in the town.

Insp Collingwood said many of the reported thefts were of more than one bike.

"We get an increase in shed and burglary thefts during the summer and bikes are often taken," she said.

"They are then often used in other crimes, by pickpockets or thieves stealing from cars."

Since April, police have seized or recovered 40 bikes. In many cases they have been unable to trace the owner.

Today, police will be selling identification tags for bikes, priced £13, between 11am and 2pm at Darlington police station, in St Cuthbert's Way.

Owners' details are put on a police database so if their bike is stolen and recovered it can be traced back to them.

Insp Collingwood said: "We would ask people with bikes to be aware of the make, model, type, frame number and any other identifying features, and to take a photo of their cycle."

Four shops in Darlington are offering discounts on bike security items to customers who mention Operation Antiquarian.

They are: Bikesport, Bondgate; Cyclesport, High Northgate; Geo Mitchie Locksmiths, Northgate, and Iron Horse Cyclery, Clarks Yard.