Even when the researchers looked at the data in conjunction with population, they found that Cambridge had a theft rate of 16.6 per cent per 1,000 people. The overall rate, across the whole of England and Wales, is 1.4 per cent.

Of course we can expect there will be more bike thefts in places where more people cycle. Across the whole of England, the cycling population is around 9.5 per cent. In Cambridge it rises to 52 per cent, 33 per cent in Oxford, 27 per cent in York and 19 per cent in Hackney.

London seems to be pretty high in the theft-stakes – when all of the 33 boroughs were grouped together, the data revealed 18,000 thefts. By comparison, West Devon saw just 4 thefts all year.

Rob Basinger, head of UK at bicycle insurer Protect Your Bubble said: “When you contrast the cycle theft rate for Oxbridge with England and Wales, it’s abundantly clear these university towns are as popular with thieves as students. There’s no safety in numbers, either. In towns like Cambridge, a high number of cyclists results in a high number of thefts.

“Bike theft is a nationwide issue but there are some streets that stand out as having a particular problem. Commuters leaving bikes at railway stations for any length of the time stand a chance of being targeted.

“If you have to leave your bike on the street then make sure it is locked securely and, as with any item of value, if you think it may be at risk then consider taking out insurance for extra peace of mind.”

No one likes returning to their bike to find it’s been stolen. A good lock is a good place to start, and we’ve got more tips to help you keep your pride and joy safe here. Unfortunately, there’s nothing you can do to completely protect yourself, and insurance is always a good idea – read up on that here.