HC Deb 12 February 1998 vol 306 cc344-5W
Mr. Cox

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps his Department takes to encourage police officers to use bicycles while they are on patrol duty. [28656]

Mr. Michael

The Home Office does not take any steps specifically to encourage the use of bicycles. Guidance on how police forces can make the most effective use of patrol is set out in the handbook, "Tackling patrol effectively", which was issued in November 1996 jointly by the Home Office, the Audit Commission, Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and the Association of Chief Police Officers. The handbook stresses thatthere is no single model for the organisation and management of patrol work

which should be designed to meet local needs.