More than 600 bikes have been protected from theft, thanks to Havering Police’s successful marking campaign.

Bicycles can be invisibly branded for free on the first Saturday of the month at Romford Market at Mark it @ the Market events.

The unique codes deter thieves and help officers identify and reunite stolen cycles with their owners.

Sgt Darren Hepple, from Havering’s Safer Transport Command, said: “This initiative is proving to be extremely successful with incidents of bike thefts being reduced in comparison with the previous year.”

Sgt Hepple encourages cyclists to follow the ‘Three Rs’ to protect their bikes.

Record - Keep a record for yourself of the frame number, make and any other marks that can identify your bike if it is stolen. The Cycle Taskforce runs a number of bike marking events.

Register - There are a number of websites where cyclists can register the details of their bikes and any distinguishing features/ frame numbers etc. The MPS have recently selected Bike Register as the preferred cycle online registration service, see related links.

Report - If your bike is stolen then please make sure that you report it to the police. Bike theft is a significantly under reported crime. Reporting the theft will enable us to check databases and contact the owner once the bike is recovered.

Follow @MPSSTC on Twitter for updates on regular marking events across London.