Cyclists in Oxford are more likely to have their bike stolen than almost anyone else in the country.

The city has one of the highest rates of claims according to Halifax General Insurance, which has Oxford fifth in a national league table.

Bike crime is such an issue that the city has a dedicated team of three full-time police officers to deal with the problem.

About 2,000 bikes are reported stolen every year, and the real figure for thefts is likely to be at least double that as many people do not bother to report the crime.

Pc Jim Abram said: "Oxford City has a very high number of bicycles within it, with many people using bikes as their preferred method of transport, so I am not surprised that the number of insurance claims is also quite high.

"The number of people arrested for the theft of bicycles is rising substantially and each case is treated seriously."

Crime reduction adviser Nick Gilbert said bike owners needed to invest in proper locks and use them at all times.

He said: "If people aren't prepared to look after it then they will lose it."

The cycling campaign group Cyclox believe more and better cycle racks in the city would prevent thefts.

Chairman James Styring said: "According to police figures, £1,000-worth of bikes are being stolen every working day in Oxford.

"I think some of the burden of responsibility is with the county council to provide better parking facilities for bikes."

Oxfordshire County Council installed new racks in the city centre and Cowley Road last year and has plans for more. But Mr Styring said more had to be done.

He added: "We need to remove a couple of car parking spaces and put bike spaces in."

Cabinet member for transport David Robertson said the council had already acted on a report from Cyclox calling for 600 extra Sheffield racks the type with a large hoop fixed in the ground.

* Anyone with information about bike theft should call Pc Abram on 08458 505505 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.