POLICE in York are testing out a new weapon in the war on bike thefts.

They are trying out ten cycle alarms, which give out a high-pitched, piercing alarm if a bike is moved without the device being deactivated.

The alarms cost £8.50 each and can be attached to the frame of any bike.

Police have been given the alarms to test to see how well they work.

Sergeant Shaun Page, of the Clifton neighbourhood policing team, said: "We've given some of them to previous victims of cycle theft to see what they think.

"They will evaluate them for us and then we will decide whether to roll them out across York."

The small devices have a waterproof casing and are fitted with a nine volt battery. They can be activated and deactivated with a small key.

One has been fitted to a bike belonging to Police Community Support Officer Wayne Capell.

Sergeant Page said posters would be put up around the city and sent out to known cycle thieves, warning them of the new initiative in a bid to deter them.

If the trial is successful the alarms will be rolled out across York, with the help of Safer York Partnership, and made available to cyclists at a cheaper price.