Redbridge police officers will carry out patrols on bikes which were awarded to them by Halfords in Chadwell Heath on Saturday.

On the same day that members of the borough’s Safer Transport Team held a bike register event with the public at the High Road store, they were presented with two bikes by staff.

Sgt Thomas Lee said: “We have our marked bikes that we use generally and these will be used for unmarked, plain clothes patrols in our hub area - Ilford High Road and Clements Road.”

The mountain bikes will be used for robbery patrols, to patrol bus passenger areas and, during the Olympic Games, in Hainault which is set to house a “Snoozebox” hotel for 4,200 people.

Store manager Martin Richards said: “It’s important to work closely with the team.

“They come down here and provide awareness of stolen bikes and let our customers know what is available to them.”

There are two further bike register events at the store, between midday and 3pm, on April 28 and May 19.

Cyclists can get details of their bike added to Bike Register for free, which normally costs �25, and Halfords is providing a 10 per cent discount on cycle accessories.