Police say bike thefts in Weymouth have "reduced significantly" since a campaign to reduce the crime launched.

In June, Weymouth and Portland police launched a campaign in response to bikes being stolen in the town.

As a result, several people have been arrested in connection with bike thefts, with one man being arrested and charged on a few separate occasions and sent to court.

Some bikes were recovered during the operation and returned to their owners.

284 bikes were registered in three bike marking events held by officers, crime prevention posters were put up in areas with high volumes of bicycles, and local bike shops were liaised with to increase awareness of thefts.

Posting an update to the campaign on social media, Weymouth and Portland Police said: "From June 2018 until October 2018 we had a total of 58 bikes reported stolen. Only 7 bikes were reported stolen in October, down from a peak of 29 reported stolen in August.

"We believe we have reduced this type of crime through a combination of raising the awareness, crime prevention advice and by proactively targeting those we believed were responsible.

"Reports of bike thefts have reduced significantly since we ran the campaign."

Officers say they hope to hold another bike marking event just after Christmas for those with brand new bikes.