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Locks prevent the bikes being used without payment - but many have still gone missing.

An amnesty for thieves who have taken GPS operated community bikes is taking placed before police come after them.

The Beryl bikes were introduced in Bournemouth, Dorset, in June, as part of a community bike share scheme.

But many of the £950 bikes have gone missing since the launch.

The organisers have given those responsible until Sunday to drop them off at one of the dedicated bike bays across the seaside town. After that Dorset police will start investigating the acts of theft with the culprits facing criminal prosecution.

And given that the bikes have a GPS system built on to them it will not be too hard to oak the culprits down.