Police whistle returns after 30 years

The police whistle is making a comeback after more than 30 years - to target anti-social cyclists in Cambridge.

Not since the 1970s has the ear-piercing sound echoed through Britain's streets.

But city police will be the first officers in three decades to re-launch the old-fashioned crime-busting tool which was first used 200 years ago.



Officers will be blowing their whistles at cyclists who flout the law in a move timed for the welcome of 30,000 students to Cambridge University next week.

Pc Steve Hinks, who has trialled a whistle, has hailed it a success. "When a cyclist is coming towards me, I can stop them by putting out my hand. But if they just go past me the whistle stops them in their tracks. If I were to start shouting: 'Excuse me!' I'd look like an idiot."

The whistles issued will be similar to those used by football referees, instead of the old pipe style which were once deployed.

With news video.