Pcs Darren Walshaw and Andy Wise are the first to get the bikes

Pcs Darren Walshaw and Andy Wise have been issued with the customised mountain bikes to cover their patch in Faversham, Kent.

"The blue flashing lights are not just for emergency use, but to identify who we are," said Pc Wise.

"We can use these bikes to assist other police officers in road closures and that sort of thing," he said.

Off-road motorcyclists

Pedal power also enables them to cover more ground than on foot as well as get to places police cars cannot reach.

"Too often when off-road motorcyclists are causing a problem they make off as soon as a police car appears," said Pc Walshaw.

"In some cases to pursue them would cause a serious accident.

"Now that we have the bikes we can silently approach the motorcyclists and safely stop them."