PEOPLE living in Thornaby can get their hands on security marking equipment at a greatly reduced cost.

Thanks to a partnership between Thornaby and District Neighbourhood Watch and Stockton crime prevention panel, Thornaby police are now able to offer the equipment.

Police will security mark any bicycle belonging to people in the town free of charge using Selectamark kits donated by Neighbourhood Watch and the Crime Prevention Panel.

The kits contain five stencils, two of which will be used to mark each bike.

The rest of the kit will be offered to each cyclist at a charge of 50p.

This will enable people to security mark three other items of property, including hi-fis, videos, and computers.

All the money received from the scheme will be used to buy more marking kits.

It is hoped to start the scheme next Monday.

For further information contact Sergeant Boulton on (01642) 302810.