A TRIO of cycling bobbies hope to put the brakes on crime in Middlesbrough.
The community police officers are patrolling the streets on mountain bikes as Cleveland Police's first cycle squad.
The force hopes the bikes, bought with money from the West Middlesbrough New Deal for Communities fund, will speed up reaction times to crimes and increase arrests.
Inspector Rob Donaghy said: "The officers will be able to respond very quickly to any incidents around the town, much quicker than officers on foot. Because of some roads they can, at times, respond faster than cars."
He said having officers on cycles was aimed at encouraging people to approach them.
"They are not closed away in a vehicle that just speeds past. They are environmentally friendly patrols that will benefit everybody - apart from the criminals."
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