THE police will be using pedal power to carry out patrols over the summer months.

From next week, officers in north Kent will be getting on their bikes for Cycling Visibility Week, to kick-start patrolling on two wheels.

PCSOs, PCs and sergeants will be using the fleet of 34 cycles pedalling out of Meopham, Bluewater, Gravesend, Dartford and North Kent Police Stations.

The fleet includes 24 bikes bought last year at a cost of £700 each.

Neighbourhood Policing Inspector Steve Willson, who heads up the team, said: "The bikes are an excellent way of getting about in the town as they allow us to get to places more quickly than on foot and more easily than in a car."

Each officer has to undertake a two-day training course, which includes road safety, cycle maintenance, cycle skills and a fitness test.

Of the 60 officers within the neighbourhood team, 45 are trained to use the bikes.