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The new head of South Wales Police has spoken of his plans to “create a space where people can enjoy their cycling” in Cardiff.

Matt Jukes took over as Chief Constable of the force at the turn of the year.

Speaking at a Cardiff Cycle City meeting on Wednesday, he said: “If there’s a city that can make cycling work, it’s Cardiff.”

South Wales Police will bring in new measures to try and tackle safety issues around cycling. An operation called Close Pass, due to go live this spring, will see officers go undercover as cyclists to highlight issues to motorists.

Another operation will see GPS trackers attached to bikes, which police hope will help them track thieves if bikes are stolen.

(Image: Rob Browne)

Police are also trying to tackle thefts of bikes in Cardiff.

Chief Inspector Ian Randall said the top and bottom of Queen Street in the city centre are “hotspots” for thefts, but the numbers have decreased since last year.

He said: “During October, we were averaging 50 thefts a month. Last year, we had 580 thefts. Now we’re averaging 30 a months in November and December. There was a small spike in January but we’re on track for February.

“We do have a problem in the city centre for bike thefts, but the chance of your bike being stolen in the city centre is low. There’s loads going on behind the scenes.”

(Image: Rob Browne)

Established in January 2014. Cardiff Cycle City is “a movement bringing different individuals and groups together in one common vision: to make Cardiff the best cycling city in the UK”.

Mr Jukes told the meeting of new police measures being brought in to improve safety for cyclists – and said he was hoping to encourage officers to get on their bikes too.

He said: “We’re a family whose kids walk to school and my wife cycles to work every day and I’ll do the same.

“But as an employer, we employ 5,500 people in South Wales Police. We have the worst long-term sick in the police forces from England and Wales.

“We run about £200m in terms of staff budget and I lose about five to 10 per cent of that every year due to ill health. That’s £10m that could be spent policing the streets.

(Image: Walesonline)

“As an employer, if we can offer something that keeps staff active that’s a huge importance for us.

“I’m really keen that we play our part as a police force, that it feels safe and we can create a space where people can enjoy their cycling. The starting point is a safe environment.”

Plans for a new three-storey cycle hub were discussed at the meeting, as part of the new Central Square development. The bespoke building would offer three floors, and would offer bike stands and shower and storage facilities.