Diversionary project pays off

A bicycle was donated by youngsters, who built and
transformed it with their own hands, to PC Sarah Troy and PCSO Lee Butterworth (pictured) from a Cleveland Police Neighbourhood Policing team.

They were handed the cycle as part of a five-week diversionary and engagement project for 14 to 17-year-olds, incorporating young people on court orders and others with learning disabilities and special needs, during which they dismantled broken bikes and recycled the parts to build new ones.

A number of stolen and unclaimed bikes in disrepair were given to the project by the force’s property stores as an alternative to them being scrapped.

The new recycled bikes have also been donated to disadvantaged school children in Africa and victims of bicycle theft, who rely on them as an essential mode of transportation.

PC Sarah Troy said: “The new bike is fantastic and has come
from a really worthwhile project that is not only putting stolen
items to good use, but is showing young people that they can
do something positive with their time.

“Some of the young people that have taken part are young
offenders who are involved as part of their reparation work and
the bike that they have produced will help to reduce crime on the streets, further promoting our aim of being visible and accessible.”

PCSO Lee Butterworth said:“Residents have said that they
feel safer when they see us patrolling their neighbourhood and
responding to their priorites.

“This bike will help us to cover a larger patch quicker than on foot, enabling us to speak with more residents and continue to gather feedback and intelligence.”

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