A BOURNEMOUTH and Poole based off-road cycle club has donated 10 bike locks to Poole Hospital following an annual fundraising drive by club members.

Dorset Rough Riders decided to donate to the hospital after a recent spate of bike thefts left some staff unable to get to work.

Lara Bruce, from Bournemouth, had her bike stolen whilst working at Poole Hospital on Sunday June 28.

She said: “I cycled to work every day so pretty frustrated at having to buy another bike now.

“I’m not the only one at the hospital to have my bike stolen unfortunately. I think there were two others in the past few days, and I heard of another one around a week or two ago.

“I reported to police but no CCTV directly looking onto the bike shed, only a camera around the corner so no use to the police.”

Numerous cases of bikes being stolen have been reported at both Royal Bournemouth and Poole hospitals during lockdown.

In April, a 23-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of stealing three bikes belonging to NHS workers from outside Royal Bournemouth Hospital on March 30 and 31.

At a cost of £50 each, the locks have a silver and gold ‘sold level’, part of a three-tier security grading system.

They offer increased security with hardened steel links to help prevent pick, drilling and leverage attacks.

Terri Winstanley, a member of Dorset Rough Riders said: “As a group of avid bike riders, we were incredibly saddened to hear of bike thefts from both Poole Hospital and The Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospitals, which our members have had cause to use over the years.

“We feel that if you are going to spend money on a bike to commute to work then a lock with good security is vital.

“We felt moved to support staff who had their bikes stolen at such a critical time when commuting by bike has become so important.”

In addition to the locks, Dorset Rough Rider company-branded neck buffs and additional promotional materials have also been donated.

Marie Cleary, staff experience lead at Poole Hospital, said: “We are keen to support our members of staff to lead healthy lives and cycling to work supports this as well as helping our environment.

“We really appreciate this generous support from Dorset Rough Riders to keep bikes safe for our staff returning home.”