A POLICE officer is hoping to give thieves a rough ride when it comes to stealing bikes this Christmas.
Hartlepool crime prevention officer Colin Hopkins is encouraging people buying new bikes this Christmas to make them less attractive to thieves by marking them with their postcode.
PC Hopkins will be at Facchini's Cycles, in Murray Street in the town, promoting the marking scheme tomorrow and next Saturday, December 16, between 10am and noon.
Anyone who visits the shop and talks to PC Hopkins will be entered into a prize draw to win a new mountain bike, or cycling equipment.
A bike register is also being launched in Hartlepool to help to keep a record of the make, model and descriptions of bikes in the town.
It is hoped this will help officers reunite owners with their bikes, if they are recovered.
PC Hopkins said yesterday: "I would encourage parents and youngsters to come along and get advice on safe and secure biking.
"It is the ideal opportunity to get a bike marked when you first buy it and I am hoping most of Facchini's customers will take up the offer of my free advice.
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