BOBBIES on bikes are to become a familiar sight on a rural North Yorkshire beat.

Officers based at Ingleton have taken delivery of a brand new mountain bike and are planning to saddle up to stamp out crime in the countryside communities that make up their patch.

Their latest weapon in the war against criminals is a 24-gear Specialised Hard Rock bike with disc brakes and front suspension forks. The bike also has a good set of lights so it can be used at night

and a carrier for transporting

items.

Money to buy the bike has been provided by four local businesses with the balance contributed by the Craven Crime Reduction Partnership.

PC Harry Carpenter, one of seven officers based at Ingleton, said: "North Yorkshire police has a policy of encouraging high-visibility foot patrolling. Because we cover a large area, we thought it would be easier to get a bike.

"People can't speak to us when we are in a patrol car. This enables us to get back to basics and speak to members of the public.

"We will also be able to respond to incidents in a semi-decent time. Some officers might want to put the bike in a van and take it to places like Bentham."

PC Carpenter said the bike had been in operation for a week and had already clocked up 50 miles but he added that it would be better used during the summer.

The bike was supplied by Biketreks of Ambleside at a

discount price and the shop will carry out servicing free of charge.

The four local businesses which contributed £350 towards the cost of the bike were Hanson Rock Quarries; Inglesport Climbing Wall, Ingleton; The Marton arms, Thornton-in-Lonsdale; and The Three Horseshoes, Ingleton.

February 13, 2003 10:00