Bobbies go back to their bikes

The once familiar sight of a bobby on his bike is making a comeback in Shropshire, as police reveal a surge in the number of officers pounding the beat on their bicycles.

The county's growing band of police cyclists have made a big impression since they were re-introduced three years ago. Chances of catching a glimpse of a bobby on his bike had almost disappeared in Shropshire.

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That is until West Mercia police decided to revive its "cycling corps" in 2005.

Since then the numbers of constables and community support officers with bikes has steadily grown.

Inspector Kim Downing, from the unit, said: "There is no doubt that our cyclists have been a huge success with the public. They were brought back by popular demand.

"The public always want to see police officers walking the beat rather than in patrol cars, and having officers on bikes is a good halfway measure.

"They are visible, accessible and still able to attend incidents within a reasonable time."

Inspector Downing said the bikes were top of the range, fully kitted for maximum performance and safety and were regularly serviced.

"Road safety is such a vital issue and remains one of our priorities in Shropshire," she said.

The inspector said more and more people were now becoming regular cyclists for a variety of reasons – including saving on fuel costs, reducing their carbon footprint and as a means of keeping fit.

Many of Shropshire's 81 community support officers now have bikes in the county's 43 Local Policing areas.

Inspector Downing said: "We have received good feedback from the public. They like to see officers out and about on their bikes. It's a reassuring and friendly presence which they can turn to with ease."

The cycling bobby in Shropshire is a trend likely to grow in the future as West Mercia continues to develop its Citizen Focus approach as it seeks to become more accessible in meeting the public's needs.

Inspector Downing also praised Shropshire County Council for providing six new bikes funded from its Shropshire Access Partnership. She said that while cycling round housing estates officers were able to easily stop and talk to members of the public about a variety of issues.

By Russell Roberts nextpage

Oswestry cyclists: Pc Pete Dale and CSOs Dave Wagg, Dave Hughes and Andy Neeves nextpage

Bridgnorth section cyclists: Pc Rod Salt, of Albrighton; CSO Graham Carless, of Bridgnorth; Pc Stuart Lippitt, of Much Wenlock; CSO Mike Watkins, of Much Wenlock, and Pc Richard Wood, of Bridgnorth. nextpage

Officers in North Shropshire, from left: Sgt Julian Hinds, of Wem, with CSOs Andy King and Mike Ellis of Market Drayton, Derek Morgan, of Ellesmere, and Zoe Wigley, of Wem rural.