More people are seeing police on bicycles this year after the neighbourhood policing unit was expanded in March with 17 additional officers, a 50% increase in staff.
The unit, created in 2003, focuses on community‑level patrols, with officers on bikes or on foot maintaining a visible presence, responding to minor incidents and keeping close contact with residents.
Police say the expansion is part of wider efforts to modernise the force and strengthen crime‑prevention work in local communities.
What the neighbourhood police are
- Officers assigned to small geographic areas to build familiarity with residents and shopkeepers.
- Patrols carried out on bicycles or on foot to increase visibility and approachability.
- A first point of contact for minor incidents, disturbances and quality‑of‑life issues.
- A channel for gathering local intelligence and identifying emerging problems early.
- A support presence around schools, parks and commercial districts.
The model is viewed by the force as an effective way to deter petty crime, improve response times and reinforce trust between police and the public.
