New Pedal Patrols Set To Hit Streets

Illawarra Mercury

Tuesday October 12, 2004

By MEGAN LEVY

POLICE on mountain bikes will hit Wollongong's streets in greater numbers in a bid to crack down on street crime.

NSW Police Minister John Watkins yesterday said more than 100 new police bicycles were being rolled out to police commands across the state, making it the largest police cycle squad in the Southern Hemisphere.

The Wollongong and Lake Illawarra commands each have five in operation, and extra bikes have been earmarked for the Wollongong command to patrol shopping areas and transport hubs.

The white custom-made bikes are fitted with flashing lights, sirens and spotlights to allow officers to patrol at night.

Acting Senior Sergeant John Klepczarek said police on bicycles had certain advantages over car and foot patrols.

"The bikes allow us to get to certain locations quicker, such as in the mall. We can get to places that we can't normally access, quickly and quietly. It just gives us that manoeuvrability that you don't have with cars or on foot," he said.

Mr Watkins said the officers underwent a training course at Goulburn College before joining the cycle squad.

During the state election campaign, the Government vowed to double the number of bicycles in the cycle squad, which Mr Watkins said had been achieved.

"These police will often be first on the scene of a crime or accident, as they are often more versatile than foot or car patrols, and will patrol pedestrian malls, shopping centres and transit hubs to provide easy public access to our officers," Mr Watkins said.

The bikes were launched yesterday in Cabramatta, an area police said had benefited from extra cycle patrols.

In the first six months of operation, bicycle police in Cabramatta laid almost 300 charges and attended 900 incidents.

© 2004 Illawarra Mercury

Back to News Index | Back to Home