A children's competition launched by Ramsey Police to design a safety campaign poster as been won by young Thomas Franchamps(pictured).  

Thomas, 10, was amongst the children of Auldyn Youth Club who took part in a competition to design a poster for the Police's 2009 cycle lighting campaign.

The children were asked to produce a poster that would encourage other young people to use lights on their cycle to be safe during the dark winter nights, with the winning entry to be chosen by all the officers from Ramsey Police Station.

All the participants received a certificate from the Isle of Man Constabulary signed by Inspector Flint.

As the winner, Thomas received a set of cycle lights sponsored by Steve Parker of Ramsey Outdoors Ltd.  His entry is to be used as the main poster for the 'Light It and Lock It' campaign and will be displayed around Ramsey Town and in all the schools.

PC Kevin Quirk of Ramsey Police Station who ran the campaign, said, "I am very proud of the enthusiasm and skill shown by the children of Auldyn Youth Club. 

"There were many very good entries and it was difficult to choose an eventual winner.  It has proved to be a very effective way of delivering the very important message to our children of being seen and being safe."

The 'Light It and Lock It' Campaign

The two-fold aim of the campaign is firstly, to encourage cyclists to increase their personal safety by ensuring that their cycles are visible to other road users through the use of lighting and secondly, to educate people about the importance of locking their cycle when it is not in use.

Sponsor Outdoors Ramsey is offering a discount on all cycle lighting and locks for the duration of the campaign.  In addition to this, Steve Parker and his staff are offering a frame-marking service which will assist police in reuniting lost or stolen cycles with their owners.

Steve Parker says, "We are only too happy to be associated with a campaign that promotes safety and security to cyclists."

PC Kevin Quirk adds, "Officers from the Northern Neighbourhood Policing team will be giving advice to any cyclist they see without lights during the hours of darkness with persistent offenders potentially being dealt with by the court."

Alison Vondy, of Neighbourhood Watch, comments, "This is a campaign which we are pleased to support, as it addresses an area of concern to the public and one where safety, especially with young people, is often overlooked."
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'Light It and Lock It' will continue to run throughout the winter months.