Police in the Chinese capital Beijing have launched a voluntary registration scheme to store information on bicycles on their data base to help solve thefts, local media report. The city’s Public Security Bureau launched the programme jointly with the Beijing Bicycle Industry Association, the Beijing Morning Post reported. Owners can register their bikes as soon as they are purchased by providing their name, identification number, address, phone number and bike brand to retailers. Those who already own a bike can register with their ID card and receipt of purchase from the bicycle shop. READ MORE: Coming full cycle in China: Beijing pedallers try to restore ‘kingdom of bicycles’ amid traffic, pollution woes According to the Post report, police detained some 2,300 suspected bike thieves in the city between January and the end of November in 2015. Authorities believe the registration scheme will not only help solve bike thefts but also locate owners when a lost bike is found. Bike retailers have signed confidentiality agreements with the security bureau and can be prosecuted if they reveal owners’ information, the report said.