St Helens Police power up patrols with e-bike roll out
Eight new bikes are being used by the team
A new fleet of e-bikes have been unveiled in St Helens, for Police in the area to help tackle anti-social behaviour hotspots.
Funded by St Helens Borough Council, the bikes will enhance officer's visibility in locations where traditional police vehicles can't access and extend their patrol areas.
E-bikes will help the force to remain visible to the public, but able to respond quickly in areas such as green spaces.
Officers in the area have previously invested in vehicles to help tackle car theft, with electric bikes the next step in demonstrating their desire to stay ahead of criminals.
Inspector Josh Griffiths of the St Helens Neighbourhood Policing Team said: “We're seeing criminals increasingly using bikes and e-bikes in their activities, so we must have the tools to match and outpace them. The new bikes will help officers with disrupting the activity of organised crime groups.
“And importantly, these bikes help us deliver more visible and accessible neighbourhood policing for our communities, making it easier for residents to approach and talk to officers on patrol.
“We've already seen how e-bikes can transform how officers interact with the public. They help us maintain a reassuring presence in our communities while ensuring we can respond quickly when needed. It’s the perfect balance of speed, accessibility and visibility that modern neighbourhood policing demands."
Officers who will be using the e-bikes have received training, and the public can expect to see the usage of them in parks, woodlands and open spaces across the borough.
Councillor Trisha Long, St Helens Borough Council's Cabinet Member for Supporting Neighbourhoods, said: "With the adoption of these eco-friendly e-bikes, the team will be more mobile and accessible to the community within our parks and open spaces, fostering stronger relationships with residents and contributing to a safer, more connected borough."