No More Updates

There will be no more updates to this blog, however, all previous posts will still be available for reference.

Best wishes

Sgt Paul O’Reilly

Helmet Watch 2011

Helmet Watch 2011
Community Winner

West Midlands Police are rewarding safety conscious young cyclists for using their heads as part of a charity initiative.

During the up and coming weeks officers from Neighbourhood Policing Teams across the West Midlands will be supporting the Bicycle Helmet Initiative Trust’s ‘Helmet Watch 2011’ campaign.

The Trust is a charity that is committed to saving young people’s lives by promoting safer cycling, particularly the use of cycle helmets.

Helmet Watch is run every year and the charity has provided the force with giveaways for youngsters. Children who are seen wearing a cycle helmet will receive an envelope which contains a small gift of a highlighter pen, a bookmark, advice about cycle helmets, and a free entry form for a prize draw, with prizes including a game console, digital camera, computer games.

Wearing a cycle helmet is just one factor in helping you cycle safely. You should also:

· Make sure you have the right gear. Wear light coloured, fluorescent or reflective clothing so other road users can see you.

· Make sure your bike is road worthy and has working lights and reflectors.

· Cycle safely on the roads, look and give a signal as necessary before you start, stop or turn – don’t expect a driver or pedestrian to know what you are going to do.

· Don’t listen to your Ipod, MP3 player or use your mobile phone whilst cycling, as you need to be able to hear what is going on and what is happening around you.

The Bicycle Helmet Initiative Trust’s “Helmet Watch” campaign promotes the use of cycle helmets, particularly for children. For further information about the Trust please visit www.bhit.org.

Shirley West and East Neighbourhood Policing team have a small supply of these envelopes and will be on the lookout for worthy winners, up to the age of 16 years old.

Make sure you wear your cycle helmet at all times when riding your bicycle to be in for a chance to be a winner.