The police in Somerset are asking bikers and cyclists to take extra care of their bikes.

The warning has come following a number of bike thefts in the region lately.

According to the authorities in Somerset, locals have reported cases and instances of theft where the thieves have broken into homes in order to steal bikes.

A sergeant from the Chipping Sodbury police station, said that people in the region should lock their garden sheds. In addition to this, people are also being warned to keep their bikes indoors whenever possible.

The sergeant said that bikers who own expensive bikes should consider keeping their bikes inside secure garden sheds. Another good measure to prepare yourself for a bike theft would be marking your bike.

Bike insurance has also been emphasised and recommended heavily, especially as the recession has fuelled more bike thefts.

500,000 bike thefts occur in the UK annually. Therefore, insurers have urged bikers to purchase an insurance policy.