| Safer Neighbour Team finds more than they bargained for |
Search warrant uncovers eighteen bicycles and one malnourished dog Officers from Safer Neighbourhoods Team searching for stolen bicycles got more than they bargained when they found themselves rescuing a mistreated dog. Officers from Chiswick SNT executed a search warrant at an address in St Thomas Road in connection with the theft of pedal cycles in the Chiswick area. Chiswick is Hounslow Borough's hotspot for cycle theft and during the search of the St Thomas Road address officers recovered 18 suspected stolen pedal cycles and arrested two youths. Although officers were shocked to also find a seriously malnourished Staffordshire terrier and immediately called in the RSPCA. The dog was so uncared for it was initially thought that it would have to be put down, but thanks to the efforts of vets it is now making a slow recovery. Inspector David Osborne, in charge of Chiswick Safer Neighbourhoods Team said “A lot of hard work has gone in to this operation and we will continue to pursue those who look to profit from theft in this way. “Some of the cycles had been dismantled making identification difficult, enquiries in this respect are ongoing. “I would encourage all cyclists to register their bikes on the www.immobilise.com website; this makes it a lot easier for us to reunite owners with stolen cycles and prosecute offenders.” A 15 year old and a 20 year old arrested at the address in connection with the theft of bicycles, have been bailed to return to a West London Police Station pending further enquiries.
June 20, 2006 |