A HIGH school in Flintshire is being forced to take drastic measures to deter bike thieves.

The Elfed High School in Buckley has suffered a spate of thefts of its student's bikes in recent months.

Following the theft of a student's bike on Tuesday, the third since Christmas, the school is now being forced to construct a new bike rack.

Alistair Stubbs, headteacher, said each time the bikes had been secured with bike locks, but CCTV footage shows the perpetrator using bolt cutters to remove the bike.

A gate, which is locked out of school hours, was erected to prevent people from entering the school's site.

But the school must now look at alternative measures of stopping thieves.

Mr Stubbs said: "From our perspective, encouraging student to ride their bike to school is a good thing.

"We'd never had problems before until just before Christmas, and then in May another bike was taken. Tuesday's instance will see us take steps to further secure the bikes of our students. On Monday three caretakers will work on a new bike rack.

"The Buckley community is a brilliant one and is so supportive, it's just a shame that someone thinks it's acceptable to steal the bikes of teenagers."

Police confirmed the theft of a Carrera bike from the Elfed High on Tuesday, frame number 1580634930, and that enquiries are ongoing.

Anyone with information that can assist police can call 101 quoting reference number X088355.

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