police in Cheltenham are working with officers from British Transport Police (BTP) to offer train travellers crime prevention advice at an event next week.

On Thursday August 12, between 4pm and 8pm, Safer Community Team Officers from Hester’s Way and Cheltenham Town Centre, will be working with the local Crime Prevention Officer and Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) from BTP at Cheltenham Railway Station to offer commuters advice on how to help prevent crimes.

PCSO Steve Wilkinson from Gloucestershire Police said; “A lot of people use Cheltenham train station every day so it felt like the perfect place to offer people advice on the steps they can take to help reduce the opportunities given to thieves. In particular we are eager to offer tips to those commuters that cycle to the station on how they can protect their bike. “ The officers will be on hand with information about how to keep your bike safe and they’ll also have a limited number of bike locks to give away as well as ‘Forensic Coding Kits’ which are a marking system that can be used quickly and easily to protect property and deter thieves.

“Taking simple steps such as getting your bike coded and making sure it is kept secure can make a significant difference in preventing it from being stolen by acting as a deterrent to potential thieves,” continued PCSO Wilkinson.

“We also suggest that you register the bike with the National Mobile Property Register. This can be done through a website called Immobilise, (http://www.immobilise.com/) which allows you to create a free, private and secure portfolio of all of your personal property.

“If the bike is then lost or stolen the website can be used to tell the police, your insurer and the second-hand trade to assist in recovering your property and catch the thief.”

British Transport Police (BTP) will continue to work in partnership with colleagues at Gloucestershire Police to deliver safety messages and advice to passengers using the rail network and help drive down crime.

BTP PCSO, Mandy Mellings, is now the officer responsible for Cheltenham Spa rail station and will be liaising with rail staff, passengers and retailers at the station to help make it a safer environment for all.

PCSO Mellings said: “I will be patrolling the station on a regular basis as well as starting monthly surgery meetings to speak to the passengers about any concerns that they have.

“I am also looking forward to teaming up with colleagues from Gloucestershire Police to help pass on safety advice to cycle users and other passengers who use this busy station.”