A number of people have been arrested after a new Garda crackdown using 'undercover bikes' to catch thieves.

The scheme involved Gardaí planting bikes in theft hotspots in Dublin, and then monitoring them being taken, and using GPS and other technology to find those responsible.

New figures show there were 6,750 bikes reported stolen across the country last year, and more than 2,000 already this year.

Gardaí say it’s a ‘Dublin problem’ with more than three-quarters of those taken in the Dublin area.

The Chair of Cyclist.ie, Dr Mike McKillen, says using so-called 'bait bikes' has been success internationally.