We would like to inform our Welling School community that a number of bicycles have been stolen from the school site. Most of the bicycles that have been stolen were locked in the allocated bicycle sheds at the front of the school on Elsa Road.

The thieves gained access to the bicycle shed from the car park and did not try to breach the secure line and access of the school buildings. I can also confirm that CCTV was in operation and the footage will be provided to the police, who are investigating the incidents.

During this academic year, the school will be upgrading our external perimeter gates to electronic sign in. This will improve site security by restricting access to the main carpark and reception.

In order to minimise the risk of bicycle theft students are reminded to take every precaution to ensure that their bicycle is secured with a lock that bolt cutters cannot cut through.

We are also asking students not to park their bicycle outside the main reception, but instead in the bicycle sheds at the Berwick Road student entrance, until the electronic gate system is in place. The Berwick Road shed is not accessible to the public during the school day so is a safer area for bicycles to be stored.

Although this change will mean bicycles are more secure, please remember that lost or stolen personal property is the responsibility of the student and their family. The school cannot be held liable for any theft that occurs on site.

If you want your child to travel to school by bicycle, I would urge you to check that the bike is covered under your household insurance and, if not, consider the risks of leaving it in the bicycle shed.

Students that have had a bicycle stolen are encouraged to report it to the main office and/or to the Metropolitan Police Service so that the appropriate follow-up can occur.

The Metropolitan Police Service are aware of the thefts in our Welling School community and are working collaboratively with the school.

If you have any questions or concerns, or wish to report a stolen bike, please feel free to contact the school on office@wellingschool-tkat.org.

Thank you in advance for your support.

Yours faithfully

Mr R Pett

HEADTEACHER