London,
17
June
2010
|
23:00
Europe/London

Two wheels good for Wardens and Police

Hackney Council’s Community Safety Wardens will now be getting about the borough on special Police mountain bikes to help them cover more ground, as they support Police efforts to tackle anti-social behaviour and crime as well as problems such as fly tipping, dog fouling and the removal of syringes and graffiti.

Last week, the twenty-strong team of wardens began intensive Police bike training to give them the skills for enhanced patrol work. The training included lessons on kerb jump-ups, emergency stops; and how to ride down steps and staircases without causing danger or getting hurt. Community Safety Wardens have the power to administer Fixed Penalty Notices for littering, dropping cigarette ends, dog fouling and fly tipping and fly posting and graffiti. The twenty new mountain bikes will ensure faster response times and quicker movement across the wards.

Hackney currently has 76 mountain bikes in service on the borough. The bikes are used for general patrolling, policing events and the proactive targeting of crime and anti-social behaviour. They are also used in ‘Operation Spoke’ – tackling street crime perpetrated by youths on bikes.

PCSO Richard Essl said: ‘The Community Safety Wardens showed great promise, their ability to cycle to the standard of MPS cyclists was second to none. Each warden showed great tenacity and approached each exercise with professionalism, including the challenges like the stair descent. The wardens completed the day with a group ride to Victoria Park and again controlled the traffic just as well as police cycle serials, which shows how effectively the Metropolitan Police is working with its partners.”

Cllr Sophie Linden, Hackney Council’s Cabinet member for crime, sustainability, and customer services said: "Thanks to the bikes and training programme, the council’s wardens will now be able to cover more ground than before. The Wardens will be more mobile and can work more effectively with the Police to gather intelligence to help fight crime and anti-social behaviour in the borough. I hope this will help residents to feel reassured about how the Council and Police are working together to protect them on the streets."

Police advise residents to enjoy cycling but stay safe by following these simple rules:

· Get trained and keep in control

· Wear a helmet

· Be seen and heard

· Check your bike

· Be alert and plan your route

· Stay safe

· Drink plenty of fluids