YORK'S two-wheeled crimefighters have proved a major success after their first six months in the saddle.

The four-man Community Cycle Unit, which began patrolling the streets of the city in July last year, has notched up 102 arrests - 45 per cent more than regular officers - and covered 7,071 miles, clocking up 3,465 hours of patrolling.

They have attended 542 reported incidents, carried out 66 stop-and-searches - arresting 12 people as a result of those - detected 70 crimes and submitted 24 intelligence reports.

Sergeant Nigel Tottie, who leads the team, which operates out of Acomb police station, said: "The results we have had are favourable. We have got a higher arrest rate than comparable vehicle-based officers. That's not because we are working harder, but because we have got much more access to places."

The cycles give the officers access to areas where vehicles cannot easily go, such as cycle paths and "snickets" on residential estates, as well as grassed areas and woodland as is found along the river banks and around schools. The eight arrests the team had made for drug misuse was down to the fact they could quietly ride right up to people and catch them in the act.

The team's presence, not only in the centre and west side of York but further afield in communities on the outskirts of the city, has helped to provide reassurance to the public, who often voice concerns about not seeing officers on patrol, and make the police more accessible.

The cycle squad also launched a pioneering scheme to improve cycle safety by giving people the chance avoid a fixed penalty fine for riding without lights by getting some fitted within seven days of being stopped. A total of 141 cyclists fitted new lights and 105 people were prosecuted for failing to comply.

Only last week Sgt Tottie and PC Steve Harvey spent three days patrolling central London's Square Mile with members of City of London's cycle squad, to share ideas.

It is proposed to expand the cycle squad to ten members, depending on funding and sponsorship, and make them a key part of the Central Area's restructuring, which comes into force in April and has a major focus on community policing.

The cycle officers' salaries are paid by North Yorkshire Police and their clothing and equipment is funded by sponsorship from York businesses, the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and Safer York Partnership.

During their six-month pilot period, the members of the team have not taken a single day off sick. Any businesses that would like to discuss possible sponsorship of the cycle unit should call Sgt Tottie on 01904 631321 or e-mail him on nigel.tottie@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk

Updated: 11:15 Friday, January 24, 2003