Police in Andover are advising bike owners to increase their security following a number of bike thefts in the town.
In the last six weeks there have been nine reports of bikes being stolen from gardens.
The majority of those stolen were left insecure and occurred in the areas around King Arthur's Way and Pilgrims Way.
Inspector Paul Markham from Andover police station said: "Many of the bikes stolen were left insecure in back gardens and were therefore an easy target for thieves.
"Others were locked together in gardens but not to an immovable object. One of the bikes was stolen from a balcony at a block of flats which demonstrates the need for securing your bike even when you think it cannot be reached.
"I am advising bicycle owners to review their security to ensure their bike is as safe as it can be."
Crime prevention advice:
- Get a good lock (preferably a D-lock) and attach your bike to something secure.
- Always lock your bike, even if you are only leaving it for a few minutes
- Have your bike's frame security marked or engraved
- Keep your bike in a secure garage or shed. Keep the door locked and keep it out of public view.
- Register your bike with schemes such as Immobilise or Bike Register.
Police Community Support Officer Rebecca Williams from the Alamein Safer Neighbourhoods team runs a bike marking session every Wednesday between 2pm and 4pm at the Askalot Community Centre, Atholl Court in King Arthur's Way.
PCSO Williams said: "Marking your bike with your postcode can be a deterrent to thieves and it also assists the police to reunite stolen property with its rightful owner should it be recovered."
Anyone with information about those committing bike thefts in the Andover area should contact the Safer Neighbourhoods team at Andover police station by phoning 101.