A new Police Cycle Response Team were introduced to the public today (31 July 2014)
They are a force-wide resource who will be on hand to respond when required across the county.
The Cycle Response Team consists of a sergeant and seven police constables and will be used to help search for missing or wanted people, with their ability to go off-road and access other areas where vehicles can’t go, invaluable in time-critical situations.
[embedyt]http://youtu.be/9QHCP0oRjc0[/embedyt]
Operations to deter and detect crime, policing of large-scale events and the enforcement of cycling offences will also be a feature of the team’s work.
When not assisting with planned searches and operations, the Cycle Response Team, who are based at Clifton Moor Police Station in York, will offer a high-visibility presence to the community which can help to build relationships with the police and act as a deterrent to criminals.
In the first six days of their duty, the team have spent time on patrol in York and Scarborough to tackle drug offences, anti-social behaviour, organised crime and burglary.
Since the team began work they have also assisted with searches for high-risk missing people in York and Scarborough, a flasher by the River Ouse and a wanted man.
Chief Constable Dave Jones, of North Yorkshire Police, said: The new cycle response team is a really positive addition to policing in North Yorkshire and I am confident that they will be a real asset.They will give us the capability to respond really quickly and effectively to developing situations and offer a presence and visibility which will be just as reassuring for our communities as it is unnerving for criminals.
The team have already seen a positive response from the public. There was some really good feedback from residents and businesses on Sunday when they carried out some reassurance patrols in Scarborough on what was an extremely busy weekend.
They will have a key role in building on the good relationships we already have with our communities and have already gathered some good community intelligence in the short time they have been in operation.
You can follow the team on Twitter @NYPCycleTeam
