MULTICOLOURED bikes that form part of Darlington Police’s bicycle security campaign have become the target of vandals.

A number of brightly painted bikes, which carry the message for cyclists to ‘Lock it or Lose it’, have been locked to bicycle stands around Darlington town centre in an effort to lower the rate of bike thefts.

However, this week one of the bikes was badly damaged by a vandal who ripped off the seat and bent both wheels beyond repair.

Officers are now examining CCTV footage in a bid to track down those responsible and anybody with any information about the damage is asked to call them on 101.