Mid Sussex police get electric bikes from Halfords to help them engage with communities

The Carrera Subway E 2.0 hybrid e-bikes feature police livery and are the first of their kind in the district.

Sussex Police will add them to the existing fleet of bikes across the force.

“We are excited to explore the benefits they bring,” said special constable Richard Hepburn, of Mid Sussex Neighbourhood Policing Team.

“Our PCSOs and PCs already make good use of our standard bicycles,” he said.

“However, the distances and terrain we cover is obviously limited; the equipment we carry doesn’t help us either.”

Special constable Hepburn said the new bikes will allow officers to stay out on two wheels for longer and travel greater distances.

He said the bikes would also help police target some areas more effectively than a patrol car, like footpaths, parks, garage blocks and secluded spaces, as well as areas known for antisocial behaviour and drug use.

“We also tend to have far more face-to-face interactions with members of the community when we’re on a bike,” said special constable Hepburn, adding that increasing public engagement is a ‘core principle’ of community policing.

“We’re very grateful to Halfords for this kind gesture,” he added.

Halfords donated the bikes after special constable Hepburn contacted the company to explain his idea of giving officers a more eco-friendly option than cars or vans when out on the beat.

Officers collected the bikes from Halfords in Burgess Hill.

“Halfords was thrilled to be able to support Sussex Police with this donation,” said Paul Tomlinson, cycling director at Halfords.

“We hope this will be a fantastic addition for the force’s community policing and crime prevention abilities,” he added.

E-bikes are regular bikes that have been fitted with an electric motor and battery, which can be charged from a regular socket.

The motor provides power assistance to riders at speeds of up to 15.5 mph with a range of up to 40 miles on one charge.

E-bikes are road legal and can be ridden by anyone aged 14 and over.