THAMES Valley Police is supporting a local charity in an effort to divert young people away from anti-social behaviour and crime through re-building bikes across Oxfordshire.

The force is working with TRAX in partnership with Active Oxfordshire, Oxford City Council and British Cycling to support a project aimed at improving the health and wellbeing of young people aged 13 to 18-years-old who may be 'at risk' of exploitation or becoming involved in criminality.

TRAX, based at North Oxford's Red Barn Farm, focuses on developing young people to become positive and active members of their communities and encourage their personal, social and educational development.

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Bikes that have been seized by Thames Valley Police that go unclaimed and are not registered or marked in any way are donated to the project.

The bikes are then repaired by young people at TRAX who will also be able to obtain a formal vocational qualification from the process.

Once the bikes have been fixed and restored back to their original condition they are donated to disadvantaged families who do not have access to a bike.

By fixing bikes, the aim is to help more people to become mobile, subsequently increasing their health and decreasing emissions in the city.

Detective Chief Inspector Bruce Riddell who helped implement the project, said: “The TRAX project provides a great opportunity for young people in Oxfordshire.

"Not only does it promote healthy living and well-being, but also enables young people who are at risk of criminality the opportunity to learn a skill and gain a qualification.

“I am pleased that the police are able to help support the project by providing bikes for refurbishing throughout the year.”

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TRAX was set up in 1992 after national press coverage of young men stealing and joyriding cars in the Blackbird Leys estate sparked the idea for the charity's creation.

It was originally designed to provide an alternative to a custodial sentence for young car offenders where they could follow their interest in motor vehicles in a positive and constructive way.

Now it helps young people 'at risk' of offending.

Josh Lenthall, Manager at Active Oxfordshire, said: "Equipping young people with the skills to repair and maintain bicycles is fundamental to opening up cycling to the next generation. We're delighted to support this project that has the added benefit of providing the refurbished bikes to local families.

"This helps to create a healthier county where residents can travel actively and take part in recreational cycling.

"Active Oxfordshire is delighted to be working in partnership with Thames Valley Police, British Cycling, TRAX and Oxfordshire County Council to deliver this project as part of the legacy of the county hosting the OVO Women’s Cycling Tour.”

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TRAX help around 350 young people every year and offer a range of qualifications in mechanics, gardening, catering, issue based group work, literacy and numeracy, IT, life skills and team building.