Police are tackling crime on their bikes

PSNI Neighbourhood Officers in Craigavon have deployed two new quad bikes to help in their fight against crime in the local area.
By The Newsroom
Published 22nd May 2012, 09:32 BST

Making the move even sweeter is the fact the ill-gotten gains of criminals has been used to fund the scheme.

The quad bikes were secured as part of a partnership initiative between Brownlow Neighbourhood Policing Team and Craigavon Borough Council.

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It has been supported with funding from ARIS, the Assets Recovery Incentivisation Scheme, which takes cash and assets seized from criminals and uses it in the fight against crime.

One of the quads has been sponsored by Craigavon Borough Council.

Sergeant Alwyn Peters, Brownlow NPT explained: “The quad bikes will be used to tackle anti social behaviour and criminality in the Craigavon area. These vehicles will raise the profile of police in the area and will be used in areas which other vehicles find difficulty to access.”

“The community will be safer and should feel safer as a result of this and people intent on criminality should know there will be no hiding place for them in this area.”

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Detective Superintendent Wendy Middleton, from PSNI Organised Crime Branch and administrator of the ARIS scheme said: “We are delighted to be able to support this initiative to assist in the police drive to reduce crime and apprehend offenders.

“This provision of protective equipment to ensure the safety of officers using the quads has cost over £4,000. It is all the more satisfying that the money that we are able to contribute has come from assets that we have taken from criminals as part of the Asset Recovery Incentivisation Scheme. In effect, crime is paying to fight crime.”

The PSNI liveried quads were deployed at a launch ceremony at Craigavon Civic centre on Thursday, .

Speaking at the launch of the new quads, Chair of Leisure Services Committee, Alderman Meta Crozier, said: “This is a welcome development for the area, particularly as these quads are going to be used in areas that PSNI vehicles could not access before. Hopefully they will reduce the illegal use of both quads and scooters around the City Park and other areas which is something we have been asking for some time.”