Police chiefs in Northern Ireland are planning to bring back more pushbike bobbies after a patrolman arrested a suspected shoplifter he chased through a bookstore on his bike.

Stunned shoppers looked on as a security guard held the door open for the officer as he sped through the shop and pursued a man out onto the street.

Reserve Constable Ronnie McQuitty was on duty at the Tower Centre in Ballymena, County Antrim.

Last summer, Ballymena police unveiled a new �2,000 super cycle complete with flashing lights and siren for crime-fighting duties.

I rode through Easons - the security guard held the door open for me and I rode through Reserve Constable Ronnie McQuitty

Officers are specially trained to use the bikes.

Mr McQuitty, a reserve constable in Ballymena's Community Beat Unit, said he had stopped at Easons to speak to a security man.

"I noticed a suspicious male and when the security guard checked he bolted for the glass doors and moved through the shop, dropping books from under his coat," he said.

"I rode through Easons - the security guard held the door open for me and I rode through."

'First such arrest'

The alleged shoplifter then made a run for it through the streets of Ballymena as the officer chased after him against oncoming traffic along a one-way street.

"I pursued him into the Braidwater Retail Park, where he was hiding between two cars. He didn't hear me coming, which is an advantage of the bike - it is 'silent and deadly'!

Bicycle schemes are in operation in many parts of Britain

"I then put the bike down and went over and arrested him."

It is the first arrest of its kind in Ballymena and some people who witnessed the unusual police pursuit said they had not seen anything like it in 50 years.

Reserve Constable McQuitty said there were many advantages to patrolling on a bicyle and that he had since made a further arrest.

The police bicycles were part of a pilot scheme which was first introduced in Ballymena.

Health and safety

However, the trial has been so successful that more bikes have now been ordered and it is thought their use will be extended across Northern Ireland.

My bosses are over the moon because this is the first scoop on the bike Constable McQuitty

Officers wear a white helmet with police marked on it, a fluorescent jacket, combat trousers and gloves.

All those patrolling on bikes have to take a cycling proficiency test, as well as health and safety training.

"It sure beats walking and you can get to places much quicker and also pass through traffic," said Constable McQuitty.

"My bosses are over the moon because this is the first scoop on the bike."

There are similar bicycle schemes in operation in many parts of Britain.

A man has been arrested in connection with a shoplifting incident in Ballymena town centre last week and is expected to appear in court on 30 January.