CYCLE safety was on the agenda at an event in the centre of Oxford.

Thames Valley Police and two mechanics held a free bike marking day in Broad Street, on Wednesday.

Officers postcoded 122 bikes on a national database, making it easier for owners to reclaim them if they are stolen.

Along with crime prevention advice, riders were reminded of the rules of the road, and the mechanics helped fix minor problems on people’s machines.

Mechanic Arthur Browne said: “It takes two minutes, if that, to give a bike a proper marking, and you have a much better chance of getting it back if it’s stolen.

“It was good to see so many people take an interest.”

Sgt David Hodsdon, of Thames Valley Police, added: “This has been a very successful day raising community awareness around cycle safety and cycle crime prevention.”