The number of bike thefts at Ipswich train station has more than halved in the last year, new figures have revealed.

British Transport Police said only 19 bicycles were taken by thieves between April 2013 and March this year at the town’s rail station.

This is a fall of 54% from 41 in the previous financial year.

Across Suffolk, the number fell from 69 to 62. Excluding Ipswich, it rose from 28 to 43 in the county.

The fall in Ipswich comes despite a rise in the number of bikes being stolen from stations across the UK. Some 5,318 bikes were taken by thieves between April 2013 and March this year – the equivalent of 14 every day.

The total number stolen from stations in England, Wales and Scotland was a rise of 3.6% compared to the previous financial year.

A spokesman for Abellio Greater Anglia said the number of bike thefts could fall even lower next year after a new Cycle Park opened at Ipswich train station in May.

The cycle stalls and lockers were removed and replaced with the dedicated Cycle Park. The secure facility is free to use – but requires a £25 refundable deposit – and allows cyclists to use a key fob to gain access to their bike.

The spokesman for Abellio Greater Anglia said: “We are investing in better cycle storage facilities at a number of our stations in Suffolk and the region.

“At Ipswich the new Cycle Park provides secure cycle parking with access via a key fob system and we are pleased that the efforts we are making to improve storage facilities for cycles is having a positive effect.

“We will continue to work in partnership with the British Transport Police to do all we can to improve cycle security. Ipswich is also an accredited Secure Station.”