York police are offering a free cycle marking service to help stop thieves getting away with expensive gifts this Christmas.

Officers from York West Safer Neighbourhood Team will be at York Racecourse for two days helping people to mark their bikes and register on the immobilise database.

Members of the public can meet the police on County Stand Road between 9am and 7pm on Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 December 2012 to have their cycles marked as part of the ongoing anti-bike theft campaign – Operation Spoke.

PCSO Keith Hall, of York West SNT, said: “By having your bike marked and registering it on the immobilise database, you have much better chance of getting it back if it is stolen.

“If you are buying someone a bike for Christmas, make sure you come and see us over the weekend and have it marked. It could make the difference between getting it back and losing it forever if it is stolen.”

If you want to report a cycle theft, contact North Yorkshire Police on 101 – select option 2 – and pass information to the Force Control Room.