Police Cyclists deter crime in
Woolwich
By Phillip (Bob) Smart
Metropolitan Police, Station Woolwich
London, England
In November of 2002, five Saracen Dirttrax
mountain bikes were donated to Woolwich sector police team by a neighbourhood
renewal project and immediately pressed into service. As much media exposure
as possible was initiated to make the bikes and riders instantly recognisable
as police. Suitable clothing and accessories were almost non-existent, so
existing supplies were adapted and it was necessary to make private purchases
to maintain momentum and interest in the patrols.
Initially, the patrols were limited to Woolwich town centre to demonstrate
them to the local community as they visited the shops and open market.
Familiarity with them as part of the local policing resource was correctly
judged to be a key factor. The patrols were quickly established as a welcome
and trusted part of the town's response to security and crime issues; positive
comments were received from centre managers and others engaged in local commerce.
After a short time, it was evident that the bike patrols were instrumental
in securing existing business and encouraging executives from large department
stores to take over vacant properties, thus generating new trade.
On January 10, 2003, a ban was placed on drinking alcohol in public areas
in direct response to calls from the local community complaining about
drunkenness, disorder and litter. As soon as the cycle patrols were tasked
to deal with enforcing this ban the incidence of drink-related crime virtually
disappeared. Persistent offenders quickly became aware that the bike patrols,
supplemented by CCTV and PCSO resources, would make the town a no-go area
for their nuisance behaviour. There was a dramatic improvement in an environment
which had previously been plagued by drunken fights, petty theft and scattered
cans and bottles. Again, this success was commented upon by local business
managers; as a result, the local authority has seized this as evidence to
support an extension of the ban area to one almost twice the size of the
original.
From small beginnings in a limited area, the patrols were rolled out to the
local wards, self-managed by each beat officer. It was instantly clear that
there was no equal to an officer on a mountain bike for achieving high visibility
access to even the narrowest of alleyways and footpaths. Younger children
were drawn to the novelty of seeing the local beat officer on a bike, thus
creating an early and essential bond between youth and police. Traditional
policing styles were merged with the newer bike technology and strategies
to give the most easily influenced youngsters direct access to a familiar
person easily identifiable as part of the local law enforcement presence.
After some initial surprise, parents easily welcomed the bike patrols onto
the estates and surrounding street. Petty crime and youth disorder were tackled
directly with almost total success and a grateful community has attributed
this almost entirely to cycle officers.
Open drug use and the traffic of drugs into the estates were targeted and
two well known hotspots for this activity were subjected to the most intense
efforts. Local businesses had previously been badly affected by drug dependent
offenders. The Woolwich sector bike patrols were able to have a direct positive
effect in eliminating these hotspots. A general improvement to the quality
of life and the feeling of being safer in their own streets was again commented
on by local residents.
A leafleting campaign and direct letters to known troublemakers supplemented
the bike patrols to assert authority over those who had previously been able
to evade foot and motor patrols by escaping into 'rat runs'. Bike patrols
made this no longer a viable option and offenders were forced to admit that
they could no longer boast of being 'untouchable'. The ability to glide up
almost silently behind a cannabis smoker or graffiti tagger and take the
cigarette or pen from their hand caused even the most determined criminal
youth to think twice - and bike patrol officers were acclaimed as 'sneaky
ba****ds'.
The value of cycle patrolling in this type of community-based role cannot
be overstressed. Nuisance offenders make themselves scarce, parents welcome
a regular, reassuring and highly visible police presence, and children identify
a strong influence on how to stay safe and avoid trouble.
Following a recent murder,bike patrols were tasked to monitor community tensions
over the motives of the offender. Senior management have agreed that the
patrols were most effective in gathering intelligence and scotching unhelpful
rumours.
The development of clothing and technology for regular users was an early
consideration for the patrols running from Woolwich sector. A number of
approaches were made to retailers, both locally and further afield. This
led to practical trials as part of an evolving programme of evaluation under
all conditions. This has made the unit a well-respected, professional and
uniformly corporate part of the local policing strategy to fight crime and
rebuild communities.
Having identified the severe limitations of adapting existing equipment,
a combination of private purchasing and lobbying for an official budget have
provided the whole bike team with the best kit available at this time. This
justly complements the enthusiasm of the bike patrol officers who have every
right to expect to be both safe and comfortable while engaged in such demanding
work. A local retailer has agreed to provide parts and labour on demand and
at a discount. The bikes are well-maintained on an individual basis by the
riders; each of whom takes pride in the efficient running of the machine.
Senior management have ordered a cycle-specific budget to be set aside from
borough funds and we have been fortunate to find that the borough commander
is an enthusiastic bike user who enjoys a frequent break from the office
to join us on cycle patrol.
Staff at every level of the borough have happily accepted that bike patrols
are an effective and flexible resource which have an important role to play
in delivering local and service strategy. Local authority staff visibly brighten
to hear that cycle patrols will be deployed to deal with any issue, but
particularly youth disorder. Parent and youth groups actively seek cycle
patrol officers to lobby them for their presence at local events. Officers
from other sectors, boroughs and outside services seek advice and guidance
on the deployment and safe use of patrols.
The outdated view of cycle policing as an ineffective tool more suited to
an officer winding his career down towards retirement has been replaced by
a new reality. That reality is one of an enthusiastic officer combining team
loyalty with service goals in a genuine drive towards improving quality of
life through crime reduction and high visibility. Current legislation which
is already widely used by Woolwich bike patrol officers will be complemented
by new laws soon to become part of statute. Proactive enforcement will continue
to be at the centre of our role. Our team motto reflects the changing attitude
to the use of bike patrols and stands as a testament to our commitment to
development, consistency and service.
"Mock ye not for our cause is just and we are the elite and mighty Woolwich
Mountain Bike
Patrol."
Bob can be reached at
phillip.smart@met.police.uk.
© 2004 IPMBA. This article first appeared in the Winter 2004
issue of IPMBA News. |
