On Thursday, 28 August, about 20 unclaimed and untraceable bicycles at Sutton Police Station were transported to Wandsworth Prison in South London where they will used by prisoners in bicycle maintenance courses.
The next maintenance class is due to start in about four weeks. Prisoners will be shown how to dismantle and recondition bicycles by a prison instructor and two prisoners who have trained as bike mechanics.
The bicycles would then be auctioned with the proceeds going to under-privileged children charities.
Prison officer Les Kinchin explained that the bikes would provide prisoners with skills that could be used to help them gain employment on their release.
Sgt Kathy Morteo, of Sutton North Safer Neighbourhoods Team, explained that the bicycles came into the police station as lost, stolen or abandoned. Despite lengthy checks, officers have been unable to trace their owners. "It's good to know the bicycles are going to be well used with proceeds going to good causes," she said.