"The aim of the bikes is to increase the visibility
and profile of the police in the community"
Welcome to
bikepatrol.nl
This site is dedicated to the most sporting and dynamic way of policing, patrol
and surveillance on mountain bikes.
Bikepatrol.nl wants to promote and expand this way of surveillance in Europe.
Studies have shown
that the bicycle is one of the quickest modes of transport in urban areas. That
is why it is being increasingly used by police services in Europe to cover short
distances in crowded town centres.
Bikepatrol.nl believes
that cycle patrol policing has advantages over other methods of policing.
It has provided additional reassurance and been welcomed by the general public.
The specially trained officers in the unit use methods pioneered successfully
in bicycle policing schemes in the USA.
The bicycle officer
has become very mobile in urban areas. The bicycle officer routinely patrols
many areas not covered by vehicles or foot patrol. Due to the speed and mobility
of the bike, the cycle Constable covers 4-6 times the same area as a foot patrol.
The bicycle Constable is able to see and hear more than a Constable in a patrol
vehicle since the officer is in the open, and not surrounded by the enclosed
vehicle.
The bike Team member is able to respond to calls very quickly.
In many cases, the cycle Constable can make it to a call sooner than officers
in a vehicle. This is even more evident with the congested roads we are currently
experiencing. The bicycle is able to respond to medical emergencies quickly
when large crowds may cause a problem for vehicles.
While one of the
benefits of the bicycle is to be visible and show a sign of presence, ironically
one of the bicycle's strongest enforcement aspects is the capability to approach
crimes in progress without being seen or heard. This has been evident in the
past year with auto burglaries, traffic stops, and other incidents. Constables
are usually within 5 meters of the suspect before they are recognized as police.
The officer in a
vehicle is not able to safely operate in crowded areas, and is very visible
from a distance. The Constable on foot is only able to cover a small area at
a time. The Constable on the mountain bike can cover the city centre in a much
safer manner, and is also able to contact violators who are a distance away.
The bicycle patrol is able to contact 4-5 times the number of violators as other
patrols, and poses much less risk to pedestrians, and reduces the risk of a
violator fleeing.
The members of the
bicycle patrol are much more approachable than policeman in a vehicle. While
on patrol, the bicycle team members is contacted many times by citizens for
many reasons. On the average, the bicycle Constables contacts 4-5 times as many
persons during the patrol than if he/she was in a vehicle. Many of these contacts
are public relations related, and many are self-initiated by the Constable.
The bicycle is very
effective during special events such as protest marches, football matches and
other outdoor special events. These events are usually congested, giving the
bicycle officer the mobility to respond to calls. The bicycle team members can
be on roadways and in parking lots providing preventive patrol, and is still
only seconds from the event if needed for a call.
Maintenance, upkeep, and repairs for the bicycle patrol is considerably less
than the police vehicles.
Bicycle Units are
trained to use the mountain bikes both on and off road, and to use the cycles
as shields when dealing with violent suspects. The bikes are mostly custom built
for police use and include blue lights and police sirens.
The units has already
achieved success in dealing with such varied matters as assaults and drug crime,
finding missing children, and in targeting crime hot spots.
The
need of Training !!
video
.
Police forces bicycle
Teams
City of London
Police
The City of
London Police launched their cycle squad in 2002 at Bishopsgate police station
for patrolling the 'Square Mile'.
The team of cyclists use bikes, made by Giant with flashing blue lamps, two-tone
sirens and Police markings. They feature 27 speed gears, have full suspension
and disk brakes front and rear. Each officer is supplied with specialist cycling
gear including a marked police cycle helmet and lightweight body armour.
The team target areas where cycle related crime is committed and cycles are
used in the commission of crime, for example ride-by phone snatches.
Metropolitan Police
There are about eight to ten divisional bicycle units in the 'MET'.
The bike patrol officers have been given intensive training to help them use
their machines effectively.
The training programme concentrated on skills such as control at slow speed,
getting up and over urban obstacles, turning quickly and avoiding collisions.
Please take a look
on the site of North woolwich bicycle unit on www.bikesquad.org.
Strathclyde Police Strathclyde Police bicycle patrols began in 1996 when local Community
Councils supplied 2 cycles tothe Force.
The initial success created a demand, which was met by other Community Councils
in the East Kilbride area, who
supplied additional cycles for use in community based policing. Due to the success
of these initiatives,
Strathclyde Police launched the Mountain Bike Patrol Initiative in July 1998.
Currently the Force has 124 cycles and 202 officers who are deployed across
its 9 Divisions.
North Yorkshire
Police
York's Community Cycle Unit is a true success story. Since it's inception in
July 2002, the unit has made 102 arrests, attended 542 incidents, detected 70
crimes and carried out 3465 hours of patrol. Quite an achievement for only four
officers - one sergeant and three constables. The Unit is based at Acomb Police
Station, where two officers are on duty every day, patrolling the west side
and city centre of York.
Merseyside police
Merseyside Police officers based in Sefton have just started. Designated officers
in Ainsdale and Formby will be pulling on their cycle helmets and snapping on
their cycle clips as they climb onto their mountain bikes and set out to patrol
the local neighbourhoods.
"They're
filling the gap between the bobby on the beat and the patrol car" Click
for the BBC videohere
Real Media only
West Midlands
The bicycle patrol team has continued to work with the community to target high
crime areas and anti-social behaviour and has now expanded from four to eight
officers, a move that has received much local support.
South Wales Police
A new cycle initiative has been introduced by South Wales Police in partnership
with the County Council. The initiative has been devised in response to incidents
of anti-social behaviour, criminal damage and alcohol and substance abuse in
parks. As part of this initiative, police officers will patrol parks, car parks,
playing fields, cycle tracks and pedestrian areas on bicycles.
Patrols can be increased in areas where problems may be anticipated.
Radio communication is maintained whilst dual patrolling – the police
cycle team is able to tune in to the Park Ranger’s radio, which, in turn,
is connected to the National Car Parks system.The uniform of the cycle patrol
officers consists of a high visibility cycle jacket, navy blue T-shirt, black
search trousers and a cycle helmet.
Currently there are
12 bikes in operation for patrolling purposes, based at Central, Fairwater,
Canton and Butetown Police Stations.
Thames Valley
Police The Cycle patrol of the Thames Valley's Bracknell Police station started
June 2003. The bikes form part of the area's Community Beat Office Problem Solving
Team Within weeks of starting their bike patrols, the officers caught a couple
of car thieves "in the act" and apprehended a drug offender. The area
has a high proportion of housing estates with footpaths, cycle ways and wooded
areas and the local population welcome the Police on Bikes because of their
ability to go where Police cars often can't, their increased visibility and,
on many occasions, their faster response times.
PCI's
Swoop 1 and 2
Northern
Ireland Police service Police officers in Enniskillen took to the streets this week on state-of-the-art
mountain bikes, helping officially launch the PSNI's Mountain Bike Neighbourhood
Patrol Unit to complement their vehicle and foot-patrolling units. "There are a lot of places we can't easily access by vehicle,
such as towpaths and back alleys in housing estates - the mountain bikes give
much greater accessibility and manoeuvrability.
Hampshire
Constabulary
The three rider at the Police station Basingstoke work in partnership with others
agencies to try to resolve the problems of both crime and anti-social behaviour
in the in the rural and urban areas
One of the 14 riders in Portsmouth has devolved a “helmet cam”.
A small video camera is mounted to the cycle helmet and connected to a small
digital video camera in his pocket. With a simple cable connected record button
the officer can record any capture any evidence of offences being observed by
the officer.
Cheshire Constabulary
The aim is to have several officers in every patrol monitoring the streets of
Stockport on pedal cycles, claiming not only do they deter crime and make the
public feel safer, but also enable officers to reach incidents much faster than
if they were on footnow easily patrol places that we could only previously reach
by foot."
RAF police
The RAF Community Police at Halton can now get to parts of the Station
that other local police officers cannot, thanks to two new bicycles that enable
them to increase their patrols on and around the base.
“The bikes
represent an adaptable and versatile solution for the RAF Community Police.
They also give high-visibility to our police officers, aiding reassurance. Moreover,
without the barriers of car doors and windows, we believe the officers will
come across as friendlier and more approachable.”
Northumbria
police
The officers will patrol Felton, in north Northumberland, following concerns
from residents and the parish council about anti-social behaviour.
It has already led to alcohol being seized from four youths on the recreation
ground and warning letters sent to parents.
Northumbria Police said it was more effective to use mountain bikes.
Avon &Somerset
Constabulary
A bobby on a bicycle has been employed by the University of Bristol.
Pc Sarah Daniels from Redland Police Station, will patrol the campuses on a
six month trial working with the university's security staff.
The Redland bike
team has continued to prove it's worth time and again. The ability of officers
to move quickly and quietly has resulted in many arrests being made.
PC's Fletcher and Ray were able to respond to an incident of deception at a
bank on Gloucester Road. They were able to negotiate through rush hour traffic
quickly before other police vehicles and arrested one male.
On another occasion the same officers were cycling past a parked vehicle when
they saw three persons thought to be acting suspiciously. Following investigations
the three people were found to be in possession of an amount of cocaine.
Sergeant Ian Smart, Redland Police Station, said: “The response from the
public and local businesses has been fantastic. They fully support the work
we are doing to increase our visibility and public confidence whilst reducing
crime.
If offenders think
they can come to Redland to commit crime, they should think again. With the
cycle team in action they certainly won't hear us coming....till it's too late!"
West Yorkshire
Police The police commander of the Chapeltown division, Chief Supt Howard
Crowther, went on patrol in Meanwood with PC Dave Brook on £600 US-made
Smith & Wesson police mountain bikes.
The senior officer admitted to being sceptical at first, but the number of arrests
had changed his mind.
"To some extent I'm on patrol here today because PC Brook has proved me
wrong. I can't argue with the fact that consistently he and his colleagues are
producing results. They are making arrests and most of all the community they
are working in is benefiting too."
There are now nine marked police mountain bikes covering the council wards of
Chapel Allerton, Moortown and Roundhay. Two more unmarked bikes are used by
plain clothes officers on surveillance and covert work.
Merseyside
Police Liverpool's bike bobbies made their first arrest minutes after hitting
the streets.
Merseyside police have given eight officers mountain bikes to help tackle crime
in the city centre.
Merseyside police chief inspector Helen Cooney said the bikes meant they could
react to city centre crimes quicker.
"The mountain bikes will afford officers the capability of patrolling the
area with greater speed and efficiency.
"It gives them access to areas which have previously been difficult to
reach.
"The use of cycles will also make the officers more accessible to members
of the public. I am sure residents and visitors will be reassured."
South Yorkshire Police
THERE’S a new spin on policing in Doncaster. For officers are literally
getting on their bikes to track down criminals in the town centre and beyond.
Based at Doncaster Police Station, the new cycle team is the latest tactic in
fighting crime and curbing antisocial behaviour in the area. The unit got off
to a great start by making an arrest within minutes of starting their first
patrol.
Said Sergeant Steven Butler, who is in charge of the team: “It’s
already proved a success. As soon as the first patrol set off they were called
out to the scene of a shoplifting incident nearly a mile away.
They arrived in time to make an arrest.
On foot it would have taken a lot longer to get there.”
The bikes are ideal for town centre patrols where there is additional traffic,
one-way systems and narrow short cuts.
Bobbies on bikes can provide a speedier response to incidents, besides helping
members of the public and
providing a reassuring presence.
Local people have been impressed with the cycle patrols.
Constable David Chadwick said: “Many young people have been coming up
to us to talk, which is really encouraging.”
Officers will patrol the town centre in pairs during peak times, but will also
be used in the evening when needed, for
example on operations to combat prostitution or street crime. They will also
be used in the New Deal areas of Doncaster.
Added Sgt Butler: “The cycle team was formed to tackle crime and reassure
members of the public. It ties in perfectly
with our patrol strategy of high visibility patrolling to reduce the fear of
crime.”
Surrey Police PC Woods said:“I am really excited about the potential for using
these bikes, particularly in conjunction with the Community Safety Vehicles,
and to have a success like this on our first outing just goes to show how useful
bikes can be. We have lots of plans for the future, particularly in patrolling
beauty spot car parks over the summer as every year we see a rise in the number
of complaints about cars being broken into while their owners go for walks.
My message to would be thieves is watch out, we could be just around the corner!”
.Three officers have received the safety clothing and undergone a training day
so that they can get out and about with the bikes. PC Jason Woods (the Neighbourhood
Specialist Officer for Ashtead), PC Dom Loraine (the NSO for Dorking Rural South)
and Section Officer Mark Richards from the Mole Valley Special Constabulary
were all tested for fitness, then went for a ride on the roads with the Surrey
County Council Roads Safety Officer and finally had a talk from Cycleworks on
maintaining the bikes.It is hoped to find further funding to allow more safety
kit to be bought for more of the Mole Valley NSOs so that eventually they can
all use the bikes to patrol their patch.
Bradfordshire
Police
POLICE
in Dunstable and Houghton Regis are stepping up the fight against crime –
with the help of six new mountain bikes. The machines are being used by officers
in areas which cannot be easily reached by police cars, such as alleys through
housing estates, parks and wasteland. They are also being used in Dunstable
town centre when traffic is heavy. The aim is to clampdown on a wide variety
of crime, from nuisance youths and drugs to burglaries at night. The bicycles,
which include police logos, lights, pumps and repair kits, were bought with
the help of a £2,400 grant from the Home Office Safer Communities Initiative
Fund and cash left over will be spent on additional protective clothing.
Sgt George Carswell, based at Dunstable, said since the bicycles were introduced
officers have made more arrests and detected mote crimes, from drugs offences
to credit card fraud. He said: “Our aim is to deploy officers as effectively
as possible and these machines are already proving to be a great help. “They
mean officers can easily cut through traffic when the town centre is busy or
access areas where patrol cars cannot go.
Our warning to anyone involved in crime is: ‘You have no where to hide.’”
South
Wales Police
The
Neath and Port Talbot Division of South Wales Police has recognised that in
recent years the area has become increasingly popular with tourists from all
over Britain and beyond. Afan Forest Park, Aberavon Beach and Margam Country
Park are just a few of the excellent facilities on offer to visitors.
Divisional Commander, Superintendent Cliff Filer, has launched an initiative
whereby the 'Local Community Police Team' will patrol the routes on a frequent
basis making users feel secure in the outstanding surroundings.
Sergeant Mark Lewis
of the 'Community First' Police Team,
"My teams are committed to ensuring the safety of people using these facilities.
The park has remained a low crime area for some time and we hope to ensure this
remains the case. It will also give us valuable opportunities to engage with
some of the younger riders and for them to see us in a positive light. I would
also encourage more local people to use these trails as a route to a healthy
lifestyle. The natural beauty of the environment can not be over stated and
is on people's doorsteps ready for them to enjoy"
Dorset
Police
Starting
on July 2004, police in North Bournemouth will be wheeling out their latest
weapon in the fight against crime, as officers take to mountain bikes to patrol
the area and respond to incidents.
With customised bikes,
cycling clothing and accessories bearing police logos have been funded by the
multi-agency Community Safety Action Group and by donations from local groups
including the North Bournemouth Crime Prevention Panel and the Townsend Youth
Partnership.
The bikes will be used by community beat officers working from Winton police
station, allowing them to patrol their specific beat areas in a highly visible
and effective manner.
PC Dave Fish, the
community beat officer for Kinson, has organised the scheme. He explains: “The
mountain bikes offer us the best of both worlds – the reassurance to the
public of seeing an officer out on the beat, along with the ability to quickly
respond to incidents in our beat areas.
“Also, they will allow us to follow offenders into areas that are not
suitable for cars, such as on the heath or down alleys and paths. This should
make it a lot harder for people to evade arrest if they are on foot or also
on bikes,” he adds.
The bikes have been customised and provided by KIT, a specialist emergency services
supplier based in the Midlands. They have police markings on the frame and feature
27-speed gears, front and back suspension and disk braking.
Individual officers have been provided with specialist cycling gear, including
a marked police cycle helmet, a lightweight high-visibility jacket and trainers.
Each of the bikes will also carry a basic first aid kit and essential paperwork.
Inspector Pete Windle,
section commander for north Bournemouth, hopes the bike patrols will have a
positive impact for local residents. He says: “The mountain bikes will
allow officers to get right into the heart of the community, providing a visible
presence and building public confidence.
Bike patrols are
also on patrol Poole and the scheme is also being considered for other areas
of Bournemouth.
Leicestershire
Constabulary
BIRSTALL BEAT Officer Kevin Palmer has been presented with a bike to patrol
Watermead Country Park.
Syston Local Policing Unit in partnership with Charnwood Borough Council and
City Cycles of Thurmaston, are now deploying police officers on bikes to patrol
all the pathways in the Watermead Country Park. City Cycles have generously
donated two bicycles to the local beat officers in a joint effort to reduce
crime in the Park. The public will see the officers in their state of the art
equipment.
Inspector Duncan Cullen, Commander of the Syston Local Policing Unit, said:
“Having officers deployed on bicycles will allow greater accessibility
to Watermead Country Park. These high visibility patrols will impact upon anti-social
behaviour and crime. We want people to come to the Park knowing it is a safe
place to visit.”
Norfolk Constabulary
The
community policing team based at Bowthorpe Police Station in Norwich have specialised
police mountain bikes.
The two police community support officers and the beat manager who patrol the
Bowthorpe estate and Costessey area are patrolling their patch on the new pedal
cycles.
The project has been funded by the Central Area of Norfolk Constabulary and
the South Norfolk Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership (CDRP).
Co-ordinator PC Neil Williams said: "Being on two wheels means the team
can travel between areas where we have had anti-social behaviour more quickly
and it means the officers can spend more time patrolling where it matters rather
than walking between areas.
"The role of the community team is one of reassurance and visible deterrence.
"The team members can do this much more effectively on two wheels than
on foot.
"We have had a lot of positive feedback from members of the public.
Soon
more about the bike patrols of
Hertfordshire
Police
Humberside Police
Royal Park police
Sussex Police
