IT WILL be a fit force of police officers you'll see around town from now on as our community bobbies take to the streets in an initiative aimed at cutting crime.

But you might need your shades to look at them as they whizz past on mountain bikes clad in fluorescent yellow tops and padded lycra leggings.

The 'bike police' will mainly be used to deter criminals, combat nuisance youths and anti-social behaviour, but officers are already riding around schools to stress that crime doesn't pay.

Sergeant Dean Richardson, of Stockton Heath, who initiated the project, said: "The children can relate to us on the bikes - we're no longer the old-fashioned face of the law riding around on outdated equipment."

The bikes have been bought with the help of the business community in Warrington and wishing Warrington Police the best of luck with their initiative are: IKEA, BNFL; Rock Oil; Hubert Jones; Argos, Sarcen's Cycles, Asics Clothing and the Warrington GUARDIAN

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