Crooks to get cycles for an honest life

LONDON - Criminals in a British county will be given bicycles on loan by the police to help them find jobs and lead an honest life.

Stolen bicycles, which were meant to be auctioned under the Police Property Act will now be “loaned” to offenders by police in Suffolk, 109 km from London.

But critics have slammed the idea as an insult to victims, the Daily Express reported.

“This absurd scheme just legitimises the initial bike theft, with offenders benefiting directly from crime. Suffolk police could even be handing the bike to the very person who stole it, which isn’t much of a deterrent to would-be thieves,” Fiona McEvoy, an offiicial with the TaxPayers’ Alliance, said.

Dave Brady, 29, of Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, said: “Why should thugs who chose to lead a life of crime get any extra help? Give them a pair of trainers and they can walk.”

Police have, meanwhile, said cycles given to offenders will be returned to their owners if they are identified.