NORTH Yorkshire Police are turning to pedal power to tackle criminals blighting the lives of residents.

Nine mountain bikes are to be used to aid patrols in the Harrogate, Richmondshire and Craven districts.

The scheme has been sponsored by several groups including the Harrogate and District Neighbourhood Watch Association.

Funds have also come from the community safety partnerships in both Richmondshire and Craven and Harrogate's Marks & Spencer store.

Chief Insp Barry Smith, commander of the force's western area, said: "These bikes will really help officers to extend patrols. They will be highly visible and accessible to the public, which is exactly what our communities are demanding from their police service.

"Safer neighbourhoods policing is all about being at the heart of the community and working in partnership with other agencies and organisations.

"This arrangement is a perfect example of this in action and I am confident we will all reap the benefits."

Orange Mountain Bikes, of Halifax, supplied the bikes which have been fitted out for the police by Kudu Bikes, of Hawes.

The force is running a cycle initiative in its western area to increase the number of cycle-trained officers from 26 to 52, and has trained four officers to show colleagues how to carry out effective bike patrols.

Liz Smith, chairwoman of the Richmondshire Community Safety Partnership, said: "In a rural, low crime area, these bikes will allow officers to be visible and immediately accessible to their community."