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Police officer threatened to confiscate four-year-old's bike

Emma Stephenson, the mother of four-year-old Sophie Lindley, said she was "in shock" after finding out a police officer had threatened to confiscate her daughter's bike.

Emma Stephenson, the mother of four-year-old Sophie Lindley, said she was "in shock" after finding out a police officer had threatened to confiscate her daughter's bike.

Sophie, who was using stabilisers, was riding along with her father in Grantham, Lincolnshire, when a police officer allegedly said he would confiscate her bike because she was riding on the pavement.

Ms Stephenson admitted she knew adults weren't allowed to ride on the pavement, but said she "didn't know it was illegal for a four-year-old".

Campaign Director at the national cycling charity, Roger Geffen, said police "cannot threaten to confiscate a bicycle for a cyclist of any age", let alone someone "below the age of criminal responsibility".

In a statement, Lincolnshire Police said: "Safety is our priority and cycling on the pavement is illegal. However, common sense obviously prevails and in the case of young children, officers would use their discretion and offer the most appropriate advice for the circumstances."

This clip is originally from 5 live Drive on Tuesday 10 March 2015.

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