Sgt Wilson (far right) with his Northallerton colleagues

POLICE officers in a number of Yorkshire Dales communities are going back on the beat - but instead of walking or driving new vehicles they'll be getting around using pedal power.

They lined up for action in Northallerton this week to show off their six brand new bikes - provided by the Hambleton Community Safety Partnership.

They will be wheeled out to the district's five Neighbourhood Policing teams - in Northallerton, Stokesley, Bedale, Thirsk and Easingwold bringing the total number of cycles now in use by the teams to 14.

"Getting out on cycle patrol gives us more visibility and increases public reassurance," said Sgt Simon Wilson of Northallerton's Neighbourhood Policing Team.

"Using bikes also means we can patrol larger areas and we can get there quicker. The public can be reassured that we are out and about reducing crime and the fear of crime."

The bikes are all painted in the same colours as police cars and will also be patrolling in more remote areas of the district.

"Places like Cod Beck at Osmotherley are hard to patrol on foot. By using the bikes we can have greater access to these remote areas.

"The people of Hambleton want to see the police out and about and this is one of the best ways to do it. The public are happy to see a Bobby on a bike which goes a long way to promoting neighbourhood policing."