Five Police officers have taken to the streets as part of a cycle patrol in the East and West Ends of the Island.

Their aim as Community Beat Officers is to meet and greet the public in pro-active policing.

The project ran a pilot programme last year in the East End and senior officers decided to extend the service during the tourist season in the West End this year.

Police spokesman Dwayne Caines said the officers had been transferred to the Community Beat Officer Unit in a supportive role.

"The pedal cycle teams have been formed with the intention of supplying a dedicated police patrol to the St. George's and St. David's areas in the eastern end of the Island, while the western team will provide coverage in the Somerset and Dockyard area," said Mr. Caines.

"The officers will provide high visibility uniformed patrols and the full range of policing services in the area.They have been issued with pedal cycles to increase mobility and expand their beat area."

The uniform has been modified and they will wear black shorts, a fluorescent yellow cycling jersey with Police written in black across the front and back, the Bermuda Police crest on the front left side, white helmet, duty belt with Police crest and black footwear.

The eastern officers are P.c. Cammie Berkeley, P.c. Carlos DeSilva, Reserve P.c. Michael Stewart, and in the West are P.c. Paul Fenwick and P.c. Kimberley Roberts.

West End Development Corporation development manager Ed Williams welcomed the Cycle Patrol to Dockyard.

"The area fills up with up to 3,000 tourists when the cruise ships are in and it is good to have a Police presence in the area," said Mr. Williams.

Chief Insp. Michael DeSilva said they had begun the programme 18 months ago in the east end and they decided it would be a good idea for the West End.

The programme is expected to run until the end of October.