West Midlands Police have donated twenty bikes to be revamped and given out to members of the community.
The bikes – seized from criminals or found and never claimed – have been donated by officers from St Alphege’s Neighbourhood Team to Solihull Council and a Birmingham charity that helps families in need.
Solihull Council plan to use them on one of their training programmes with local students who will learn how to fix up the bikes.
The charity New Roots will be sprucing up the bikes donated to them and distributing to members of the community such as key workers and low income families.
Andy Stowe, cycling officer from Solihull Council says: “Our latest collaboration with Solihull Police is an example of how we can work together to enhance community cohesion, reduce cycle crime, and enable key workers to access bikes that would otherwise be disposed of as waste.
“Amongst other things we have managed to salvage bikes stolen from Tudor Grange Academy Kingshurst, had PCSOs working alongside our ‘Bikeability Team’ in primary schools across the borough, and even had a PC riding alongside a Penny Farthing at Packwood House!
“Also thanks to our other partner Cycling UK for signposting us to the charity New Roots.”
Sergeant Rich Ansermoz, from Solihull Police said: “We’re happy that these bikes will be put to good use and that members of the community will benefit from the donation.
“Thanks to Solihull Council, New Roots and Cycling UK for helping us give back to the community.”
