CHIPPENHAM police are targeting cyclists in a bid to cut down on road accidents with the arrival of dark winter nights.

WPC Heather Barham, who has spearheaded the town's Cycle Safe campaign, said the aim was not to prosecute cyclists, but to keep them safe.

Last week WPC Barham and PC Dave Budd went to Sheldon and Hardenhuish schools, giving out safety literature and advising teenagers on the right kind of bike lights and how to avoid falling foul of the law.

The campaign will run until Christmas, and anyone caught cycling after dark without lights, which is a criminal offence, will be given seven days to get them fitted and produce their bike at the police station.

"If it is a child, a letter will be sent to their parents, informing them they have been reported, but they have seven days to do something about it," said WPC Barham.

"Our main aim is not to get prosecutions, but raise awareness and make sure people are safe."

She said people should also fit warning bells on their bicycles and wear helmets. She said accidents were often caused by youngsters speeding along the footpaths.

"We don't want to categorically tell kids not to ride on the footpaths because sometimes it is the safest thing for them to do," she said. "But if they come up behind someone it can be a real shock and we have had reports of people being knocked over."

WPC Barham stressed the campaign was not only aimed at youngsters, but at adults, too.