WIN a bicycle with our "Lock it or lose it!" campaign

Don't give bicycle thieves an early Christmas present - lock it or lose it!

Comical character, Theodore Thief, was on the prowl in Woking Town Centre on Thursday, 3 December, to see if he could pick up an early Christmas present at one of Woking's popular bike stands. But his plans were thwarted thanks to a new campaign launched by Cycle Woking, with the support of Surrey Police and the Safer Woking Partnership.

These Town Centre partners were working together to warn cyclists to lock their bikes with a quality lock and to postcode-mark their bikes. To ride home the message, Cycle Woking is launching a competition to win a quality, reconditioned mountain bike, supplied by Woking Cycle Stations - a community project that services and fixes dumped or donated bicycles.

How to enter

Tell us where the three bike boxes are located to be in with a chance of winning.To be in with a chance of winning the bike, residents will need to identify the positions of the three bicycle boxes, whicharenowsituated at destinations in Woking Town Centre to mark the launch of the `Lock it or lose it' campaign. See images to the right, and below, for a clue. Email your answer, along with your name and daytime contact details to ellie.guttridge@woking.gov.uk. (Please note that we are unable to include entries from people who work in local public services in the prize draw).

Advice from Surrey Police

PC Simon Praine, Neighbourhood Specialist Officer for Woking Town Centre, warns: "You might only be leaving your bike for a matter of minutes, but that is all it takes for someone to steal it."

Tell us where the three bike boxes are located to be in with a chance of winning.Surrey Police advises cyclists to make a note of their bicycle frame number and any distinguishing features, so that if they are unfortunate enough to have it stolen, it can be identified and returned by the police if it is recovered. Cyclists are also advised to use a quality lock and ensure that their bike is locked through the frame and the wheels to a secure bicycle stand.

Tell us where the three bike boxes are located to be in with a chance of winning."Determined thieves have been known to remove road signs in order to lift a bike off a post, so cycle stands are a lot more secure," continued PC Praine. "Cyclists should also avoid leaving their bikes in quiet streets, where a bike thief could have time to cut through locks undisturbed. If you use the bicycle stands, which are in busy streets in the town centre, you have the benefit of people watching your bike. We would urge members of the public to contact the police if they suspect anyone is tampering with a bike."

Paul Fishwick, Cycle Woking Programme Manager, added: "We have installed new cycle stands at key areas in the Town Centre, including in Peacock Walk and Commercial Way, so there should be plenty of space for cyclists to lock their bikes. Many of these stands have the advantage of being visible on CCTV cameras."

Cycle Woking representatives and Surrey Police were due to be at the following locations across Woking in December and January, providing further advice to cyclists on good bike safety and offering a bicycle-marking service:

  • Woking Town Square, Monday 14 December, 4pm to 7pm.

  • West Byfleet Train Station, Tuesday 15 December, 4pm to 7pm

  • Woking Train Station, Wednesday 16 December, 4pm to 7pm

  • Woking Town Square, Saturday 9 January, 11am to 3pm.

Discount locks

Action Bikes, in Woking, is offering 10% off bike locks during the campaign. Simple mention Cycle Woking when making your purchase for the discount.

Evans Cycles, in Woking, is offering 15% off bike locks. Print off and present the discount voucher during the campaign to benefit.

For further information, please contact Cycle Woking's Communications Officer, Ellie Guttridge on 01483 743021 or email ellie.guttridge@woking.gov.uk.