MORE police officers will be putting pedal power intro their patrols this summer, cycling around their beats across South Gloucestershire on new electric bikes.

The investment by Avon and Somerset Police will see officers from Avon and Somerset Police in Charfield, Chipping Sodbury, Winterbourne, Cadbury Heath, Cotswold Edge and Oldland taking to two wheels, in an attempt, the force say will still allow those covering larger areas still patrol effectively.

Inspector Clive Summerill said: “Beat managers and PCSOs in our towns already patrol on foot or bicycle. In some of our more rural beats that’s been more difficult.

“Four beats now have electric bikes, which will enable them to get around more effectively than pedal power alone while being more visible and accessible than patrolling by car.

“As well as making the officers more accessible to their communities, patrolling by bike will help us reduce our car use, helping us to play our part in saving the planet as well as cutting costs.”