POLICE are to recall a bygone age when bobbies rode bikes on the beat -- but this time they will be pedalling high-tech cycles in a bid to beat criminals.

Officers serving districts around the Risley area of Warrington are wheeling out state-of-the-art bicycles in February to help maintain their success story with dealing with crime.

The bicycles will allow police, wearing high-visibility uniforms, to cycle right up to offenders, rather than having to rely on police cars, which are not always the most effective means of transport. Funded by the Warrington Safety Partnership, the two-wheelers are never affected by congestion or traffic and can often arrive at the scene of a crime much quicker. They can also get to parts of the town that traditional police vehicles cannot reach.

Sgt Graeme Birmingham, who heads the Community Action Team venture in the Risley sector, said: "It's another tactic in our awareness and is ideal for sorting out parking problems around schools. More police cars just add to the problems and this is where bikes are invaluable.

"It's high visibility policing, looks very American and is something that's not really been done before in Cheshire."

Clr Keith Bland, chairman of Culcheth Parish Council, welcomed the moves and praised the work of the new Community Action Team officers that has increased public spirit within the village.

But it's not the first time police in Warrington have used pedal power to cut crime.

In August 2000, Sgt Dean Richardson announced that mountain bikes would sweep the streets to make Warrington safer.