Cambridge has been revealed to be the bike theft capital of the UK, with 13 of the top 100 bike theft hotspots being located in the city – more than any other local authority area.

Recently released police figures revealed that 2,173 bicycles were stolen in Cambridge in the 12 months to September 2016 – a rate equivalent to over six every day.

Station Road was the most vulnerable spot in the city, with 63 thefts, making it the third worst bicycle theft hotspot in the country. Parkside also ranked in the top 10 nationally, with 52 bike thefts.

Government figures show that 52 per cent of adults cycle at least once a week in Cambridge, far above the national average of 9.5 per cent. However, the bicycle theft rate also reflects this amplified bike use, with 16.6 thefts per 1000 people in Cambridge in the past year – compared to just 1.4 per 1000 people reflected across the country.

The police records additionally reveal that thieves frequently got away with the thefts - 72 per cent of reported incidents failed to identify suspects and thus the investigations were closed.

Rob Basinger, the head of the bicycle insurer Protect Your Bubble, which conducted the analysis, said: “When you contrast the cycle theft rate for Oxbridge with England and Wales, it’s abundantly clear these university towns are as popular with thieves as students. There’s no safety in numbers, either. In towns like Cambridge, a high number of cyclists results in a high number of thefts”.

October is usually the worst month of the year for bike thefts in Cambridge, with local authorities predicting that this year would be the worst on record.

Sergeant Chris Horton, of Cambridgeshire Constabulary, recommends that cyclists “secure their bikes with two decent D-locks and where possible use a proper rack which are [sic] designed to prevent theft.”

Area Commander James Sutherland, from South Cambridgeshire police, advises “using a really good lock or using two locks of different types. Most thieves only come equipped to target one type of lock.”