Neighbourhood beat managers Rob Lloyd and Juliet Clark called into Mortimer Community College in South Shields to offer crime prevention tips and advice.

Since the beginning of April 100 bikes have been stolen from across South Tyneside – many of which had been left unlocked and unattended.

Neighbourhood Inspector Peter Sutton said: "The police and partners in South Tyneside are doing all they can to prevent bikes being stolen.

"But we also need cyclists to play their part by ensuring their bikes are locked up at all times.

"Parents should also speak to their children about taking sensible precautions to stop them falling victim to an opportunist thief."

To halt the thefts, officers are urging owners to security mark their bikes and log the information with police.

This means when a bike is recovered it can be returned to its rightful owner.

Officers are also carrying out checks on cyclists, as part of their patrols, to make sure the bike belongs to the rider.

Insp Sutton, added: "Youths who had previous unblemished records have found themselves with a police record for taking pedal cycles.

"And arrests for such offences could lead to your house being searched for stolen property. As a parent, do you question your children if they are constantly bringing home different bikes?"

The visit forms part of Northumbria Police's forcewide campaign Let's draw a line under crime campaign, aimed at targeting street-level crime.

The initiative aims to tackle offenders while also raising awareness of crime prevention.

For information on bike marking events, visit the Northumbria Police website here.
www.northumbria.police.uk