Police motorcycles back on road

There are 12 new motorcycles which are being introduced gradually

A police force, which apologised over unaccompanied hearses carrying the bodies of repatriated British soldiers, has introduced new motorcycles.

Earlier this year, Thames Valley Police apologised for any distress caused when photographs emerged of military hearses caught in heavy traffic in Oxfordshire.

The hearses were due to receive police escorts but the force had withdrawn its motorcycles after two fatal crashes.

The new bikes - 12 in total - are being introduced gradually.

The force's Roads Policing Department has seven new BMW R1200RT bikes to add to the three that came into service in July.

Another two will arrive in the new year and the bikes will be used for duties including escorts and Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) operations.

It is fair to say that some of our operational duties have been impeded Ch Insp Gill Wootton

Motorcycles were withdrawn by Thames Valley Police last year after the deaths of two officers in accidents.

Chief Constable Sara Thornton apologised for any distress caused.

Ch Insp Gill Wootton, of Thames Valley Police, said the reintroduction of the motorbikes to the department had been much awaited.

"It is fair to say that some of our operational duties have been impeded by not having them available," she said.

"We have had to find alternative solutions during the intervening period.

"They help us to carry out some of our key objectives such as denying criminals the use of the roads, supporting local neighbourhood policing initiatives and carrying out patrol duties to provide public confidence."