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Estate cops get pedal-power
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| PC Gareth Lee with South Anglia's Caroline Kaldani and one of the bikes |
POLICE officers hope to be putting a spoke in the wheels of crooks with their latest weapon in the war on crime - a pair of Smith and Wessons.
But no, the Vange neighbourhood policing team aren't being issued with guns - just 27-gears Smith & Wesson mountain bikes.
South Anglia Housing, which manages 700 of the 1,200 homes on the Vange 3/4 estate, has bought the bikes to help officers patrolling the area.
Caroline Kaldani, from South Anglia, said: "We are committed to working together with the police to make the Vange estate a safer place to live.
"Working with our local policing team and providing them with the best tools to prevent and tackle crime and antisocial behaviour is another way of striving towards this."
PC Gareth Lee, neighbourhood specialist officer for Vange, added: "We are really pleased to have received these bikes.
"They're a great tool to help us get around the area, and meet residents. They'll also help officers, normally be on foot patrol, reach incidents more quickly."
South Anglia Housing and officers from Vange already share an office, which opened in Pitseaville Grove earlier this year.
9:19am Tuesday 13th May 2008
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CommentPosted by: Steve, Leigh on 12:15pm Tue 13 May 08
Wonder how long it'll be before these bikes get nicked when the officers are arresting someone or are otherwise engaged.
Wonder how long it'll be before these bikes get nicked when the officers are arresting someone or are otherwise engaged.
Posted by: Trunkymunghound, Essex on 1:32pm Tue 13 May 08
With all those rat runs, alleyways and walkways that are in the parts of Vange I know, this may be the best way to apprehend the little "out of control" scrotes that live there.
Mind you, better not let me catch 'em riding on the pavements or I'll demand a £50 on the spot fine as per the Chalkwell to Leigh footpath
With all those rat runs, alleyways and walkways that are in the parts of Vange I know, this may be the best way to apprehend the little "out of control" scrotes that live there.
Mind you, better not let me catch 'em riding on the pavements or I'll demand a £50 on the spot fine as per the Chalkwell to Leigh footpath
Posted by: Nick BURTON, Southend on 1:38pm Tue 13 May 08
[bold]So Old HAT I am surprised this is actually newsworthy.[/bold]
So Old HAT I am surprised this is actually newsworthy. Posted by: Yelris, vange on 2:09pm Tue 13 May 08
I like the way it says they share an office which opened earlier this year! when did it open? Its NEVER open. every time I,ve gone there its all shuttered up with no letterbox or info with phone numbers to contact or any thing at all .This office is about as much use as a glass arse.
I like the way it says they share an office which opened earlier this year! when did it open? Its NEVER open. every time I,ve gone there its all shuttered up with no letterbox or info with phone numbers to contact or any thing at all .This office is about as much use as a glass arse.
Posted by: me, bas on 2:38pm Tue 13 May 08
I had the opportunity to speak with an officer on one of these bikes on friday night. Only officers who have completed a cycle test are allowed to use them, which is only a few, and the bikes themselves are already pretty tired!
Good idea in theory but useless if its not fully supported.
I had the opportunity to speak with an officer on one of these bikes on friday night. Only officers who have completed a cycle test are allowed to use them, which is only a few, and the bikes themselves are already pretty tired!
Good idea in theory but useless if its not fully supported.
Posted by: evilc, essex on 9:10pm Tue 13 May 08
Bring back the stocks
Posted by: chill out, Benfleet on 5:32pm Wed 14 May 08
This cop looks like he is posing on a footpath. Will they be abiding by the same rules as they seek to enforce?
This cop looks like he is posing on a footpath. Will they be abiding by the same rules as they seek to enforce?
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