The West of Wight will be getting two more bicycles for the police to spread their coverage further – all thanks to Freshwater and Totland Parish Councils, who have paid for the bikes.
Many people have commented that police patrolling in their cars puts a barrier between residents and the police – bicycles are an interesting medium that enables them to cover a lot of ground but still make them accessible.
West Wight Safer Neighbourhoods Team Sergeant Mark Lyth commented on it, “People tell us they like to see PCSOs cycling around where they live. These officers are familiar faces in their communities, where their presence provides added reassurance to deal with residents’ concerns and perceptions about crime.”
From our personal experience, people looking to rob houses leave a look out listening/watching for police cars. Police on bikes or foot have the advantage that they don’t make the noise of a car, alerting look outs, hopefully making capturing thieves easier.
