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Cameron reunited with stolen bike | Cameron reunited with stolen bike |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Conservative leader David Cameron has been reunited with his stolen bike after it was found dumped. | Conservative leader David Cameron has been reunited with his stolen bike after it was found dumped. |
The bicycle disappeared outside a Tesco store in Notting Hill, west London, near Mr Cameron's home, on Wednesday. | The bicycle disappeared outside a Tesco store in Notting Hill, west London, near Mr Cameron's home, on Wednesday. |
The Sunday Mirror said it had used the contacts of "local community elder" Ernest Theophile, 60, to find the bike. | The Sunday Mirror said it had used the contacts of "local community elder" Ernest Theophile, 60, to find the bike. |
It was found in a nearby side street, minus its front wheel, but with Mr Cameron's helmet and lock still on it. He said it was great to have it back. | It was found in a nearby side street, minus its front wheel, but with Mr Cameron's helmet and lock still on it. He said it was great to have it back. |
The Tory leader told the newspaper: "Thank you very much indeed. I'm very surprised to have it back, it's incredible. I never thought I'd see it again. After a chat with some of the kids, I got their trust and respect and they told me where the bike was Ernest Theophile | The Tory leader told the newspaper: "Thank you very much indeed. I'm very surprised to have it back, it's incredible. I never thought I'd see it again. After a chat with some of the kids, I got their trust and respect and they told me where the bike was Ernest Theophile |
"It's priceless to me. I've done over a thousand miles on it and three sponsored bike rides of 250 miles each, so it's like an old friend. It's fantastic." | "It's priceless to me. I've done over a thousand miles on it and three sponsored bike rides of 250 miles each, so it's like an old friend. It's fantastic." |
He added: "I'm surprised they didn't take the helmet - you'd think they would get something for that on eBay." | He added: "I'm surprised they didn't take the helmet - you'd think they would get something for that on eBay." |
Mr Theophile, described by the paper as a Labour voter who runs a "social business" selling electric-powered bikes with the help of teenagers to stop them falling into a life of crime, said he was delighted to have helped. | |
"After a chat with some of the kids, I got their trust and respect and they told me where the bike was," he said. | |
"It just shows that the kids want to do good. It's just about the right communication with them." | "It just shows that the kids want to do good. It's just about the right communication with them." |
Admitting he once reprimanded the Conservative leader for riding the wrong way down a one-way street, Mr Theophile added: "You never want to see anyone have their bike nicked - not even a Tory." | |
A Met Police spokesman said officers had been invited to examine the bike and "inquiries continue regarding the theft". | |
Mr Cameron's cycling has had a high profile since he was filmed riding to the House of Commons after becoming party leader. | Mr Cameron's cycling has had a high profile since he was filmed riding to the House of Commons after becoming party leader. |
In March, he was forced to apologise after the Daily Mirror photographed him on his bike ignoring red lights and going the wrong way up a one-way street. | In March, he was forced to apologise after the Daily Mirror photographed him on his bike ignoring red lights and going the wrong way up a one-way street. |
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