When Manchester’s new bike rental scheme Mobike launched just two weeks ago its creators insisted these were ‘vandal-proof’ machines.

However, despite the innovative scheme being well-received by the vast majority of Mancunians, there have been a number of attempts to break or steal the city’s fleet of new bikes.

Nearly 20 incidents of theft or vandalism - included two being thrown in the canal - have so far been reported to police in the first 10 days of the scheme.

Among them was this incident captured on video by an Ancoats resident which shows a gang of youths trying to trash a bike on Redhill Street on Friday evening.

And while many users have taken to social media to praise the new scheme, there have also been some reports of foul play, including locks being hacked for theft.

The man who captured the Ancoats film, who asked not to be named, said: “There was a gang of them throwing rocks at it, kicking it, trying to damage it basically.

“Myself and a number of other residents were shouting at them to stop. One of them shouted back with a racist comment and carried on.

“It’s just pure vandalism. It’s such a shame.”

Police confirmed a report of a Mobike theft on Friday night.

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On Sunday night, James Headisen, 42, former chairman of the Ancoats Residents' Forum, saw more Mobike vandalism in the same spot.

He said: “Someone had ridden the bike home to Ancoats youths had picked it up. They were throwing rocks at it.

“When I intervened they told me they ‘own this neighbourhood’, threatened to throw me in the canal, and then talked about going to get a knife.

“These kids don’t care - even when they know they are being filmed.”

When the M.E.N met with Mobike boss Chris Martin ahead of the launch , he described the bikes as ‘vandalism-proof’, adding: “Mobikes remove that barrier and solve social and economic issues. Why steal something available to all? Who would buy it? It’s like buying a bottle of stolen tap water.”

A £49 deposit, a simple mechanism for reporting thefts and damage and anti-vandalism design like airless tyres and no chain are also in the Mobike’s armoury.

Despite this, vandals have tried to mindlessly attack and damage the city’s new cycling resource.

Inspector Phil Spurgeon, from Greater Manchester Police ’s City Centre team, said they had received 17 reports of Mobike criminality since June 29.

He added: “This includes reports of abandoned bikes and criminal damage. On two occasions Mobikes were also thrown into the canal.

“We know the majority of people in Manchester have been using the bikes respectfully and parking them in designated authorised areas. Sadly, a small minority are not doing this.

“We have been liaising with Mobike, as well as the council, and we will be meeting with them to discuss any concerns and ways we can work together to help reduce the risks of misuse, theft and damage.”

A spokesman for Mobike said: “Over the past fortnight, Mancunians and Salfordians have enthusiastically embraced Mobike. Both user and trip growth from the first 1,000 bikes are far beyond our expectations, with the bikes in very high circulation.

“We’ve been seeing nine to 10 rides per bike per day. The launch of Mobike in Greater Manchester has been as popular as any of the 100 global cities where we operate.

“While we’ve monitored some issues with a minority of bikes, this has been a tiny number in the context of the scheme’s success and popularity.

“Greater Manchester Police have received just 17 reports related to Mobike issues since launch, from a very high usage of the bikes.

“A number of these reports have been related to suspected - and mistaken - bike abandonment, reported by those unfamiliar with Mobike’s innovative dockless sharing system.

“We have received strong support from Greater Manchester Police, as well as local councils, and will be continuing to work closely with both to ensure our scheme continues to best serve local communities and business in Greater Manchester.

“We would like to thank the public for their support of Mobike, and encourage them to provide any feedback on the scheme via support.uk@mobike.com.”

Anyone with any information about any of the incidents incidents is urged to call police on 101.