The Metropolitan Police has said that it made more than 16 arrests last week in an initiative targeting bike thieves.

Project Cycle Ops is a collaboration between the police, Transport for London (TfL) and cycling organisations that aims to tackle bike theft throughout the capital.

Tactics employed to combat the thieves include high visibility police patrols, as well as surveillance, intelligence-led operations and covert policing tactics.

The operation also includes bike marking and registration sessions, as well as police engaging with cyclists to provide security tips.

Chief Superintendent Sultan Taylor from the Metropolitan Police’s Safer Transport Command commented: "The increased policing activity, through a wide range of tactics, has seen some excellent results in the capital.

“This activity, which will continue to run across London's 32 boroughs, is part of Project Cycle Ops, a collaborative approach between the MPS, British Transport and City of London Police in partnership with TfL to crack down on cycle theft in the city.

“It's vital that all cyclists are able to leave their locked bike knowing that it will be secure and there when they return."

As reported on road.cc last week, a London bike thief was jailed for 12 weeks earlier this month after he and an accomplice were caught stealing bikes by officers taking part in Project Cycle Ops.