upsurge in thefts across the Island.

Bike thieves stole another 31 cycles across Bermuda last week, with 41 bikes recorded as stolen the week before. (See list below).

That was more than double the average number of thefts recorded in July.

Now officers at the Police Traffic Compound in Prospect are urging riders to call in to have their cycles marked with ultra-violet pens.

Police will mark the bikes between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. and two insurance companies, Colonial Insurance and BF&M General Insurance, will send reps to homes or offices to U-mark bikes for free.

In September, the highest number of weekly recorded thefts was 35 and a Police spokesman said: "We advise owners to lock their cycles every time they're left. This includes their own driveways. We recommend the Kryptonite-type locks.

"It's a myth that bikes are only stolen in Hamilton -- they're stolen from private residences as well.'' In the week ending on Friday, 16 motorcycles, six auxiliary cycles and nine livery cycles were stolen.

Just three were stolen from the city of Hamilton -- two on Church Street and one on Front Street. Eight were taken from Pembroke, five from Southampton, four from St. George's, three each from Warwick and Devonshire, two from Paget and one from Hamilton Parish, Smith's and Sandys.

David Panchaud, of the Bermuda Cycle Rental Association, said: "One of the things we've got to do is make people responsible for their actions and give these culprits suitable sentences.'' Anyone with information about stolen bikes should call Crimestoppers on 1-800-623-8477.