Pedal power helps catch criminals in Wyre

Bicycles bought with criminals' cash are now helping officers take to the beat in Thornton, Poulton and Cleveleys.

The towns' neighbourhood police teams have bought four new bicycles, and cycling kit for 11 officers, using £3,000 from a forfeiture fund.

This is money seized from criminals after they have appeared at court, which is then ploughed back into front-line policing in local communities.

The new purchases mean a total of seven bicycles and 15 cycling kits are now available to officers in these areas.

Sgt Dave Britton, neighbourhood policing, said: "The use of bicycles is a great asset to the neighbourhood policing team across Thornton, Cleveleys and Poulton. It will increase our visibility in the area and allow us to cover the ward areas with greater frequency each shift.

"The bikes allow us to interact with the community and across areas we wouldn't be able to in a vehicle and get there quicker than on foot."

He added: "It is fantastic that we have been able to purchase these bikes using money taken from those who blight the lives of out local residents through criminal behaviour. The bikes will be put to good use in raising confidence of the community and targeting the criminals who chose to operate in our area."