Bike owners told to lock it or lose it

Published by lpriest for Progress Housing Group in Housing and also in Communities

More than 100 cyclists in South Ribble have been given free advice on how to keep themselves and their bikes safe thanks to a joint partnership between New Progress Housing Association and the Police.

New Progress Housing Association teamed up with the South Ribble Neighbourhood Policing teams to hold a number of bike safety roadshows as part of the housing association’s Community Safety Week; an initiative aimed at highlighting some of the work that New Progress Housing Association does to make its neighbourhoods peaceful places to live.  

Over 100 residents attended the bike safety roadshows that took place in Leyland last week. The three events were held at The Base community centre in Broadfield, The Place community centre in Wade Hall and at Tesco. At the events, residents received a free bike safety check and advice from the Police on the most secure way to lock a bike. Everyone who attended was also given a free bike lock and the opportunity to have their bicycle marked with their postcode.

Kate Henderson, Senior Community Involvement Manager for New Progress Housing Association said:

“We are pleased that more than 100 local cyclists found out how to keep their bikes more secure thanks to our roadshows. This initiative is just one example of how we work closely with partners, such as local neighbourhood policing teams, and residents to help make our neighbourhoods safer places to live.”

PC Neil Hutchinson from the South Ribble Neighbourhood Policing Team said:

“Over the past month we have experienced a rise in theft of pedal cycles around theLeylandarea.  In response to this we teamed up with our partner New Progress Housing Association to provide crime prevention advice. The events have been a huge success but we continue to ask that residents be vigilant and keep there bikes safe, by locking them outside shops and busy areas. “

If you witness any suspicious behaviour or have any information regarding any stolen cycles please contact the Leyland neighbourhood policing team on 01772 415855 or alternatively call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.