Police have released CCTV images of two men apparently caught in the act of stealing two bicycles.

They appear to show one of the men using a pair of bolt croppers to remove security locks holding the cycles.

The suspects then rode off towards the city centre on them.

The cycle rack is at the junction of University Road and Lancaster Road, Leicester.

Pc Harvey Watson, whose beat covers the University of Leicester campus and Victoria Park, said the two suspects were filmed at 10.30am on Monday, February 8. One of the men was filmed walking towards the camera. Pc Watson said he hoped the clarity of the image would enable Leicester Mercury readers to recognise him.

Police said between seven and 10 bikes were being stolen from the university's city centre campus every week.

Pc Watson said: "I would appeal to anyone who recognises these two men to contact me.

"We are suffering a high number of cycle thefts and we are conducting high visibility and undercover observations.

"People have £400 cycles but spend only a couple of pounds on locks. Some of the chains can be cut through in seconds. Cycle thieves say they won't even try to steal a bike secured with a good quality D-lock."

Contact Pc Watson on 0116 222 2222.