WATCH out!Beat bobbies in Felixstowe will be hitting the streets on a pair of brand new bikes.PCs Mark Boast and Jason Berry, community officers for Walton and Old Felixstowe, received the bikes in a presentation ceremony at Felixstowe police station.

WATCH out!

Beat bobbies in Felixstowe will be hitting the streets on a pair of brand new bikes.

PCs Mark Boast and Jason Berry, community officers for Walton and Old Felixstowe, received the bikes in a presentation ceremony at Felixstowe police station.

The bikes were donated by Flynnstar Bicycles and Northcut locks.

Previously, the pair had been making do with outdated eleven-year-old bikes.

PC Boast said: "The old ones were really heavy and old-fashioned. The new ones will make getting around much easier."

PC Berry agreed that the bikes are extremely important in making them more accessible to the community: "We know from past comments that people really like to see us on the bikes. They find us much more approachable than when we are in the panda car."

The bikes have 21-speeds and a lightweight frame. They also have chunky tyres to allow the officers to travel across bumpier terrain.

Stephen Flynn, of Flynnstar Bicycles, who donated one of the bikes, said: "I look after all the police bikes and I think the old ones were being repaired more often than they were available to use! This should hopefully make a real difference to them."

Police took the opportunity to remind people of the importance of making sure their bike is properly secured.

PC Berry said: "At this time of year especially we see an increase in the number of bike thefts.

"Over 200 bikes are stolen in the town every year, and most of these thefts could be prevented if people invested in proper locks."