Latest figures show that in 2008, 16,297 people were inured whilst cycling in Great Britain and 115 were killed*.

In order to help reduce the number of people killed and injured in cycling collisions the South Yorkshire Safer Roads Partnership is supporting the Helmet Watch scheme from the Bicycle Helmet Initiative Trust, a charity that helps to reduce the number of children who are killed and injured every year in cycling accidents in the UK.

Youngsters aged between three and 15 who are spotted by appointed police officers and PCSOs wearing their bicycle helmets could receive an on-the-spot prize, a bookmark on how to fit a helmet correctly, an information card for parents and a prize draw card to win one of the bigger regional prizes.

Angela Lee, the founder and Chief Executive of The Bicycle Helmet Initiative Trust, said: "Within just four weeks of launching Helmet Watch 2010 police forces around the UK have requested more than 20,000 Helmet Watch packs.

"The response from all over the country has been amazing with forces from all the UK taking part including Devon and Cornwall, Kent, the Metropolitan Police Force, Merseyside, Staffordshire, Lincolnshire, Flintshire, Hampshire, Somerset, Dorset, Nottinghamshire, Carmarthenshire, Lancashire, Cumbria, North Yorkshire, Belfast and Glasgow as well as South Yorkshire”.

John Scruby, Casualty Reduction Officer for South Yorkshire Police, said: “With the start of the school holidays it is important that we help to keep our children safe on the roads of South Yorkshire, Helmet Watch is a great way of rewarding young people who wear a cycle helmet.

“Head injury is one of the biggest single causes of death and serious injury amongst young cyclists and riding a bike without a cycle helmet could mean the difference between life and death”.