Boris's dig at Parisians over stolen bikes

Boris Johnson has revealed that only three bikes from London's new cycle hire scheme have gone missing - compared to thousands in Paris.

The Mayor of London said that, in a comparable period, 500 disappeared from a similar scheme in the French capital thanks to "light-fingered Parisians".

The cycle hire project, dubbed "Boris's bikes" because of Mr Johnson's keen support for the project, was launched in London in July.

Speaking at the annual Conservative Party conference in Birmingham, the Mayor said: "First of all there have been very, very few accidents, there have been no fatalities so far."

"But the best thing of all, the most hopeful, the most inspiring thing is...contrary to all the predictions of the doomsayers and the negative spirits that urged me against it, is do you know how many bicycles have been stolen? Three bicycles, only three."

To roars of laughter from Tory activists, Mr Johnson added: "I would point out that in Paris over a comparable period they have managed to lose 500. They lost 3,000 nicked during the first three months of the scheme, I don't want to violate the entente cordiale but there are obvious comparisons to be drawn between our nation and the light-fingered Parisians."

He went on: "There is a great sense of civility and trust in London and respect for property that is public and respect for property that is private."

Mr Johnson also issued a staunch defence of the capital's public transport system, stressing that funding cuts would harm the British economy. He has said he wants the Treasury to fully fund upgrades to the Tube and to the proposed £16 billion Crossrail project across the capital.

Mr Johnson said: "I cannot and will not agree that this country should embark on a programme of cuts to London's basic transport infrastructure.

"The buses, the railways, the Tube, cuts that would damage the ability of this country to compete internationally and to generate jobs for decades to come."