Officers from Pasir Ris Neighbourhood Police Centre (NPC) are putting the brakes on bicycle theft with the 'U-Lock or U Lose!' campaign.

The joint initiative between the police and the Pasir Ris community aims to educate the public on bicycle theft and promote the use of U-locks - considered more secure than standard cable or chain locks - to lock-up their two-wheelers.

Community Policing Officers from the NPC are working with volunteers from the National Police Cadet Corps (NPCC) and the estate's Citizens on Patrol members to give out 1,500 U-locks to residents who turn up at Pasir Ris MRT station with their bicycles until next month. So far, 700 U-locks have been given out for free.

The 'U-Lock or U Lose! campaign was officially launched at Pasir Ris Elias Community Club on Saturday along with the roll out of the fourth phase of the Community Policing System (COPS) at Pasir Ris NPC, by guest of honour Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean.

Speaking at the event, DPM Teo said almost four out of ten arrests for major crimes today were made possible with help from members of the public. He added that said community policing has been the cornerstone of the Singapore Police Force's policing strategy since the first Neighbourhood Police Post was set up in 1983. The crime rate in Singapore has fallen by more than half over the past 30 years.

Pasir Ris NPC, along with five other NPCs - Changi, Choa Chu Kang, Geylang, Hougang and Toa Payoh - transited to COPS in November last year, the fourth batch of police centres to do so. There are now 20 centres operating under the systems with all 35 NPCs in Singapore are on course to adopt the system - first launched in May 2012 - by next year.

A Public Spiritedness Award was also presented by Commissioner for Police Ng Joo Hee to taxi-driver Jimmy Soh Ah Kok at the event. The 65-year-old was being recognised assisting two police officers in the arrest of an overstayer last July.