'Beach bobbies' cut coastal crime

Officers will have better access to the coastline

Police in Merseyside are taking to the beach on quad bikes to cut coastal crime.

The "beach bobbies", who will ride Honda 350cc bikes, will patrol the sand dunes of Formby and Southport to curb anti-social behaviour.

Constables Mike Milburn and Andy Johnson have been trained with National Trust wardens on the bikes, which can also be legally driven on the roads.

The bikes are equipped with police radio sets and National Trust and Sefton Council radio communications.

Mr Milburn said: "The bikes allow us to get instant access to areas otherwise difficult to get to.

Quick response

"We have received reports over the summer months about problems in the dune areas and the quad bikes will enable us to deal with these issues even quicker.

"We work very closely with our partners in the area and with radio communications available 24 hours a day with both the Trust and Council.

"We will be-able to make the Sefton shoreline areas a safer, more enjoyable place for both locals and visitors to enjoy."

Andrew Brockbank, site manager for the National Trust Formby said: "Having a dedicated shoreline police patrol is an excellent contribution to community policing.

"These high profile quad bike patrols promote safety through preventing reckless activity and this all helps to make our visitors feel secure."