Gardaí are beginning to start using high-end "bait bikes" in an attempt to catch would-be thieves.

There has been a dramatic increase in the theft of bikes and motorbikes across the country in recent years, with over 140 incidents reported last year.

This new operation would have the bait on show in various locations and kept under surveillance by Gardaí.

Stephen McManus from The Bike Hub in Dun Laoghaire has welcomed the move, telling Lunchtime Live that thieves act like it's a "game of chicken".

“A mechanic of ours was testing a bicycle that we were servicing and he arrived and he said, ‘Look, there's somebody cutting a lock just 20 metres away’,” he said.

“So I walked [over] there shouting, ‘Leave my bike’.

“It was quite interesting that there was no fear - the guy just turned around and said, ‘It's my bike’ and walked in my direction very aggressively.

“It was a game of chicken - when he was within two metres from me, he turned left and left.”

Mr McManus said there is currently no deterrent for thieves looking to steal bikes.

Bicycle thief at work. Image: Alamy

He said the use of a ‘bait bike’ creates awareness “that something is being done”.

“There's a deterrent - a reason for people not to steal bicycles,” he said.

“What's happening in the mind of the of the person that's stealing a bicycle is, ‘What are the odds of me being caught, and if I am caught, what's the worst thing that can happen?’

“The odds of being caught are low – Why not do it? This actually sounds like a really easy business or easy money.

“Ideally, there would be more presence of the police on the streets and so on, but, you know, we do get it's a crazy market.”

The frame of a locked bicycle left behind by thieves. Image: Martyn Williams / Alamy