POLICE in Christchurch are getting tough on cyclists who take to the streets without lights on their bikes.

Led by the Grange Safer Neighbourhood Team, police in Christchurch will be tackling dim-witted offenders who ride their bicycles in the dark with a novel new approach.

As well as issuing a fixed penalty notice to the cyclist, police will also give them seven days to get their bike kitted out with lights, thereby voiding the fixed penalty.

Grange team PCSO’s Tim Diggens and Bev Baker have devised the “Think Bright Think Lights” campaign for Christchurch police.

PC Andrew Morton said: “The big problem in our area is young people riding without lights on their bikes.

“Our priority is to protect vulnerable people and to protect road cyclists.

“We are going to take positive action and there is a scheme in the pipeline to enable us to deal with this effectively.”

And the team emphasised that youngsters aged 10 could receive these fixed penalties as well.

“As far as school children are concerned, parents have to take a little responsibility as well. We will be urging everyone to take this matter seriously.”