BOBBIES on bikes are proving a huge success at cracking crime in Southampton city centre.

The newly-launched tactical cycle team has already notched up a series of impressive arrests within two months of its launch in July.

Achievements to date include the arrest of a suspected drug dealer found in possession of more than 25 wraps of heroin, drink-drivers and numerous burglary suspects.

The squad of 11 officers use top-of-the-range bikes and hi-tech equipment on daily patrols - cycling for up to eight hours and notching up an average 25 miles a day.

Insp Jon Snook, who is in charge of the unit, said: "It's not about putting bobbies on bikes; this is a dedicated unit which has a real response capability.

"It represents one step on from other cycle units, and we're really expecting the team to deliver results and be of real benefit to the city."

The unit, based at Hampshire police's divisional headquarters in Hulse Road, Southampton, was set up with funding from Southampton City Council, which also provided a secure cage to store the cycles in when not in use.

Officers are able to respond quickly to incidents and also go out on directed patrol, covering the city centre areas primarily including Southampton Common and the sports centre, and also helping to target anti-social behaviour.

The bikes, similar to ones in use by police in Portsmouth and Sussex, are fully equipped with police livery, lights, sirens and blue flashing lights.