Police on bicycles are banned - just in case they fall off

A police force has been criticised after banning officers and police community support officers (PCSOs) from patrolling on their mountain bikes in case they fall off and injure themselves.

The mountain bike patrols in Greater Manchester have been a success because they are a visible deterrent and criminals can be chased across parks and down lanes.



Greater Manchester Police fears that officers are not sufficiently trained to handle road conditions after a trainee PCSO died after he was hit by a truck in Wigan.

Around 300 police and community support officers with less than a year's bicycle patrol experience must walk or use cars for two months, pending a safety review.