On yer bike mate!

Christmas post for some Christchurch residents has been saved, thanks to the quick-thinking action of council garden waste collectors.

Dan Edwards (22) and Ben Angell (32) were collecting garden waste from houses in Jumpers, Christchurch when they spotted a youth cycling past on a postman’s bicycle.

Realising that the bike had obviously been stolen, Dan decided to give chase and eventually caught up with the thief, who ditched the bike in the bushes and ran off.

Dan continued his pursuit, phoning 999 for the police at the same time. The thief ran into Arcadia Road and as Dan rounded the corner, he was nowhere to be seen. Dan, who was still on the phone to the police, realised that the culprit must have gone into one of the gardens and stayed there until the police arrived in double quick time. A 16-year-old youth was found in one of the gardens and taken to Christchurch police station.

Meanwhile Ben had been in touch with Royal Mail who arrived to collect the bike and thank Dan and Ben for their quick-thinking action. Residents who witnessed the heroic goings-on soon rang the council to give their thanks as well.

After the chase, Dan said: “I feel chuffed to bits about what we did, especially at this time of year. I’ve done something which has been good for the people who live here, and particularly for all the kids out there who might not have got their presents.”