POLICE officers in Maidstone and Malling are now finding it easier to go out on the beat in rural areas.

Members of the Maidstone and Malling Neighbourhood Policing Unit have officially received four new cars and four mountain bikes to aid their work across parishes in the area.

The cars, which are Skoda Fabia models, were bought with funding from both the Maidstone and Malling Policing Area and Kent Police headquarters. They will be used by Neighbourhood Policing staff to patrol various villages in a more efficient way.

It is hoped that the cars will also, ultimately, be fitted with cycle carriers so the new bikes can be easily transported to and used in rural areas.

The bikes themselves were bought for the unit by headquarters and will be used by trained officers. Specially designed uniforms will come with the bikes, which are high visibility and meet with Health and Safety regulations.

Area Commander, Supt Mark Salisbury, said: "I am very pleased that we have been able to progress the issue of highly visible police vehicles and extremely practical pedal cycles for my Neighbourhood Police Officers.

"The objective of the cars is to facilitate officers going from village to village in the rural areas of Maidstone and Malling and, once they have reached their destination, they will be out and about in their respective neighbourhoods, either on foot or on their pedal cycles.

"I am confident that the cars and bikes will further enhance the positive impact that the Maidstone and Malling Neighbourhood Policing Unit have already had on local communities.”