Oxfordshire's Chief Constable got on his bike to learn how bobbies are using pedal power to fight crime.

Peter Neyroud went on cycle patrol with officers yesterday (August 18) to get a first-hand look at how two wheels have helped cut crime in Oxford.

Mr Neyroud said putting officers on bikes, where they were more visible and accessible to the public, was a key part of his plan to return to neighbourhood policing.

Cycle officers have concentrated on crime hot-spots, engaging with the community, and clamping down on drug-dealing, including executing raids.

Mr Neyroud is reorgan- ising Thames Valley Police's structure, and said other towns and estates were now looking to the example of the east Oxford beat team, which has been patrolling on bikes since its formation in 2002.

The team was presented with the force's Shrievalty Merit Award earlier this year for bringing special credit to Thames Valley Police.

Mr Neyroud said: "If you are on a bike, people will stop to talk to you.

"Most areas are now looking at some form of cycle patrol to complement foot and vehicle patrol. They are a great way of getting around quickly with high visibility."

However, he said the force had only recently achieved the number of officers which would allow him to have a more pro-active policing policy -- rather then simply responding to incidents when they occurred.

He added he could not see why the force's influx of police Community Support Officers -- wardens with limited police powers -- could not be issued with bikes to discourage antisocial behaviour.

During the afternoon, he joined officers on patrol in Blackbird Leys and Greater Leys. A cycle team was formed to patrol the estates, plus Rose Hill and Littlemore, in September 2002.

He visited Gillians Park in Blackbird Leys, where there has been a recent spate of attacks on foreign language students staying with host families.

Sgt David Hodsdon, of the Leys beat team, said officers on bikes had disrupted the activities of drug dealers in alleyways and areas, including Gillians Park.

He said dealers now know they cannot make secluded areas their 'territory', making residents feel unsafe, as cycle police would be after them.

Sgt Hodsdon said: "When we are chasing an offender in a car, they can just disappear straight down an alleyway. When we are on bikes we can cut them off."

Police have also clamped down on youths joyriding on mopeds in Gillians Park, and the city council has installed anti-motorbike gates.