PEDAL power is helping police target potential problems of anti-social behaviour and low-level crime.

Durham Police is now deploying officers on bikes to carry out high-visibility street patrols.

Community policing units based at Durham City station and at neighbouring Sherburn Village have four mountain bikes to back-up existing street patrols in surrounding communities.

Inspector Dick Dodds, the community inspector covering the Durham area, hopes that it can help to bring the force closer in contact with the public, as well as making officers more mobile.

"We hope that by using bikes we will be able to work closer with the communities we serve," said Insp Dodds.

"Because we are on bikes rather than in cars, we will be more accessible to the public.

"This type of patrol will help to break down some of the barriers that exist between the police and some sections of the community, in particular the 13 to 19 age group."

Officers involved will also use local intelligence to target areas where levels of crime give cause for concern and provide a visible deterrent in those areas.

"By being more visible, we hope our presence will reassure the public and reduce crime and the fear of crime," said Insp Dodds.

"Issues such as vandalism, teenage drinking and criminal damage can plague the lives of people in our communities.

"Having the use of mountain bikes will boost our ability to tackle these quality of life issues in line with the force's StreetSafe inititiative."

The cost of the bikes and the specialist clothing to be worn by the cycling officers has been met by sponsorship, amounting to about £5,000.

The money was raised from donations by local businesses, parish councils and the community safety partnership.

All officers in the community policing teams are expected to take to the bikes at some stage during their weekly beat duties across the areas.

StreetSafe, which was launched with the backing of Prime Minister Tony Blair earlier this year, is part of the force's overall bid to crackdown on low-level localised anti-social disorder around the county