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Three mountain bikes donated by a security installer have been hailed, for helping police cover the streets of a Dorset town.
Last year, Shaftesbury-based Wessex Fire and Security sponsored the bikes for Shaftesbury Town Safer Neighbourhood Teamโs Community Beat Officer and Police Community Support Officers. The cycles are used in standard beat work and also proactively as a response vehicle against street crime.
Neighbourhood policing via the bikes has been particularly beneficial in helping the team disperse groups of youths as the patrol is able to access footpaths, alleyways and parks more effectively. They have also broken down barriers between officers and youths as they are now easier to flag down and talk to.
Director and general manager of Wessex, Stuart Fisher, said: "We’re delighted the initiative has been such a huge success and instrumental in reducing crime in Shaftesbury. The bikes have increased response rates and have been well received by the public, who have praised the cycle patrol for creating a high-visibility reassurance for the community."
Shaftesbury Police’s district commander, Inspector Phil Cheverton, said: "The bikes have made a real difference to our patrols as we have been able to increase our presence in areas which have not been possible to serve before. We are now more mobile and able to cover a much wider area, carrying out regular patrols across all housing estates such as Hill Farm and Linden Park. The cycle patrol has been far more effective than we could ever have imagined and provides a much-improved service to the general public." As a result, cycle patrols are now being rolled out in neighbouring towns.
