Six officers have been on training courses learning how to use the bikes effectively in urban and off-road locations, taking the station's total number of cycle-trained officers to 12.

One of the officers who has taken part in the training, Sgt Chris Galley, said the bikes allowed the police to cover more ground than foot patrols but, unlike cars or vans, didn't create a physical barrier between the officers and the public.

'effective'

"If you can get officers out on bikes then that's fantastic from the perspectives of both the police and the public," he said.

"It allows us to use our time far more effectively than when we are on foot but when you are on a bike you still have that element of being able to talk to people."

uses

The bikes can be used to patrol the city centre, residential areas and also for helping in open-country searching where police may be required, for example, to search for an at-risk missing person who is believed to be located somewhere in the countryside.

Eight police officers and four Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) from the police station are now able to undertake pedal patrols around the city and Sgt Galley encouraged the public to discuss any issues with them when they are out and about.

"Stop them and have a chat because that's what they are there for," he said.