POLICE in Darlington are putting the brakes on bike thieves with the aid of tiny data chips.

The initiative was launched at the weekend in the Skerne Park area, and gave residents the chance to get their bikes chipped.

Bikes tagged with the chips are registered on a central police record, so if a tagged machine is stolen and later recovered, officers can trace the owner more easily.

Last year, 546 bikes were reported stolen in the Darlington area, with many others handed in as found property.

But in many cases, police are unable to trace the owner because the machine does not have reliable security markings.

The Data-Tag system also features a holographic sticker burned into the frame of the machine, which police hope will act as a deterrent for bike thieves.

Funding for the launch of the scheme was provided by Skerne Park Single Regeneration Budget, which meant local people were able to get their bikes tagged without being charged for the service.

Officers will visit Darlington's Firthmoor estate at the end of February to continue the scheme, and hope to cover the whole town before the end of the year.

Crime prevention officer, PC Ian Clelland, said: "This promises to be a high-tech solution to a very old problem. What we are trying to do is make bicycles less attractive to thieves, while at the same time providing extra peace of mind for owners. We believe this scheme is the first of its kind in County Durham or Darlington, and we hope it plays a major part in cutting the number of bike thefts."