Three people have been arrested and two stolen motorbikes recovered in a Thames Valley Police drive to improve security in Oxfordshire, writes Emma Henry.

traffic officers spent two weeks carrying out routine checks on motorbikes and riders across the region as part of the force's Just a Minute autocrime campaign.

Two people were arrested in the county for motorbike theft, and a third person for taking machines without consent.

Two motorbikes, one worth £2,000 and the other £1,000, were also recovered and 38 riders given road safety and crime prevention advice.

Elsewhere in the region, four people were arrested on charges of taking without consent, drink-driving, driving while disqualified and for using drugs. A third stolen motorbike worth about £800 was recovered and more than 60 riders advised by traffic officers.

Riders were warned that any machine, from mopeds and scooters to scramblers and superbikes, are seen as rich pickings by thieves. They were also given security and safe riding advice.

Sgt Ed Allington, who co-ordinated the initiative, said: "There are simple measures to reduce the risk of the bike being stolen.

"Any owner of a top-of-the-range bike should ensure it is data-tagged, which means it can be tracked down if stolen. Everyone who owns a bike should be thinking about where they leave it. Putting it somewhere public, where it is in the view of passers-by, should put thieves off. Bikers should also avoid parking in a poorly-lit area, as this provides the ideal camouflage and cover for thieves."

During the initiative earlier this month, officers arrested seven people. Three stolen motorbikes worth a total of £3,800 were recovered.