THREE teenagers have been sentenced for stealing Beryl Bikes in Poole – one of whom used the bike to get away from police.

All of the boys appeared at Poole Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, where they admitted taking the bikes without consent.

The bicycles, worth some £950 each, are hired out to members of the public via a mobile phone app.

At around 10.15am on Thursday, September 12, a 15-year-old boy was stopped riding a Beryl Bike in Poole town centre by PCs.

The officers discovered the bike's locking mechanism had been damaged. It was then found that the teenager did not have an account to use the bike.

He was sentenced to a three-month referral order and made to pay costs of £40 and a victim surcharge of £21.

Just before 3pm on Thursday, October 17, a 16-year-old boy was seen making off from officers on a Beryl Bike in Poole Park.

He was later found and arrested, and the damaged bike seized.

Again, it was confirmed that the teenager did not have permission to use the bike.

He was sentenced to a two-month extension to existing referral order as well as being made to pay costs of £40 and victim surcharge of £21.

Officers stopped a 13-year-old boy who had been seen riding a Beryl Bike that was suspected to be stolen at Poole bus station at around 2.25pm on Wednesday, November 20.

He admitted riding the bike without hiring it.

He received a three-month extension to an existing referral order and made to pay costs of £60 and victim surcharge of £21.

PC Chris Lee, of Poole police, said: “We have received a number of reports in relation to stolen Beryl Bikes across the conurbation, causing inconvenience to the company running the scheme as well as those using them legitimately.

“I hope these cases demonstrate that we will take action against those responsible for stealing the bikes and they will end up with a criminal conviction."

Councillor Andy Hadley, BCP Council's cabinet member for transport, said: “The Beryl Bikes have been a wonderful addition to our communities and should be available for people to enjoy and share responsibly.

“Since they were first introduced last year, the vast majority of riders have made good use of the bikes for commuting or leisure purposes and continue to treat them with respect."

Philip Ellis, CEO of Beryl, said: "We support the use of referral orders and we are open to participating by having youth offenders work with our mechanics to collect and fix damaged bikes.

“This will not only help to support the local community and those who are using our Beryl Bikes as intended but also provide valuable insights and hopefully new skills to the young people."