Police say Safer Streets electric bicycles have been ‘invaluable’ in tackling drug dealing in Eastwood after being used to make seven arrests and make 11 stop searches.
The electric bikes are brand new additions to the Broxtowe neighbourhood policing team thanks to the Safer Streets funding and are available for officers to use alongside two other e-bikes already being used in the district.
Officers in Eastwood have been able to hit the beat with two new electric bicycles which is helping to increase community engagement and chase down criminals in an effort to put a stop to antisocial behaviour.
Officers have been able to speak with residents and shoppers more easily along Eastwood high street as the bicycles allow for much swifter patrols and a more intimate dialogue with members of the public. They also mean officers can pursue suspects down tight alley ways and hard-to-reach places, giving them a better chance of catching those committing crimes and antisocial behaviour in Eastwood.
The purchase of the two new electric bicycles has been made possible after the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Nottinghamshire secured £3 million of Home Office funding for Safer Streets projects that help reduce neighbourhood crime and antisocial behaviour, as well as violence against women and girls. The project has been delivered in partnership with Nottinghamshire Police and local authorities, including Broxtowe Borough Council.
“I am so pleased to hear about the great success the electric bikes have been for officers in Eastwood,” said Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner Caroline Henry
“I have gotten to know the Eastwood beat team well and they’re an incredibly proactive group of officers who thoroughly enjoy getting out in the community, and these new electric bikes make that even easier.”
Eastwood is just one of a number of areas across Nottinghamshire that is benefiting from a share of Safer Streets funding, secured by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Nottinghamshire.
Safer Streets funding is also being used to fund the installation of CCTV and automatic number plate recognition cameras in Eastwood, as well as improvements to lighting and car park security to prevent vehicle crime.
Officers have utilised the new bikes for over 1,400 hours since they were purchased in October 2022, resulting in them being used for an average of 30 hours per week. The ability to keep fit and active whilst on the beat. They have also been used to help gather intelligence that has led to drug warrants being carried out.
District Commander for Eastwood Mike Ebbins said: “The Safer Streets e-bikes have transformed the way my local neighbourhood team patrol their area. The staff are now more visible and more accessible to the public they serve.
“The bikes silent approach has resulted in a number of arrests which would not have been possible in traditional police cars and the staff are seeing the health benefits of riding around their area.”
Broxtowe Borough Council Portfolio Holder for Community Safety Councillor Helen Faccio said: “It’s great to see that these additional electric bicycles are making a difference to the Broxtowe Neighbourhood Policing Team thanks to the Safer Streets funding.
“Antisocial behaviour and criminal activity can have a huge impact on our residents’ lives, so it’s really important that we continue to work together to make Eastwood a safe place for our residents to live.”
Posted on Thursday 5th October 2023