POLICE in Southampton have unveiled their latest weapon in the fight against crime - the humble push-bike.

In a reminder of the days of Dixon of Dock Green, officers are going back to basics by patrolling their beats on pedal cycles.

The Daily Echo can reveal a specialist bike squad is to be set up later this year, with a dedicated team of officers who will rely on their pedal power to get about the city.

Based at Hulse Road divisional police headquarters, the unit will aim to both deter and respond to crimes.

Police spokesman Lucy Dibdin confirmed: "We will be having a proper pro-active and reactive bike unit, which should be up and running later in the year."

The bike squad will be a first for Southampton, although some officers are already regularly using pedal cycles to patrol their beats. Now three more mountain bikes have been bought by Southampton police prior to the launch of the cycle squad.

Two bikes have been handed over to community beat officers PC Alex Willson and PC Pauline Martin, both based at Portswood.

The cycles will enable beat bobbies to cover their patches, including Southampton Common and the sports centre, more effectively, as well as making officers more visible across the city.

A third bike has gone to Hulse Road divisional police headquarters, where it will be available for use by administrative staff, as well as drivers who travel between the five police sites in Southampton.

All three were provided at reduced cost by Alan Rosenthal, manager at Portswood Cycles in St Denys Road, Portswood.

As reported in the Daily Echo, Southampton police have also taken to the saddle to deter burglars in the St Mary's and waterfront areas.

Bitterne beat bobbies also managed to solve a transport crisis with three new mountain bikes.