General Discussion

I can't believe what he told me. I saw him riding a bike, so I stopped him and asked why he was now reduced to a bike instead of the car. Well I can get around much easier on this bike such as if he is in pursuit of someone, he can ride up through the lawn instead of driving up the Brunswick and back down the Strand. He told me it was an electric bike and was supplied by the rotary of Dawlish. Well I saw him a couple of days later without his prized bike, he had to stop riding it because someone reported him for riding on the pavement. Mobilty scooters drive on the pavements so what is the difference. He is an officer of the law and anything that would help him in pursuit of his duties, should be most welcome but not so in this case. Shame on the person that reported him. Police officers our a huge part of the community and anything that assists their duties should be welcomed. Mark is his name he is very friendly, stop him and have a chat. He was a key component in helping to clear the streets of Dawlish from the drug dealers and alchoholics. There is shoplifting, drug dealing, etc,etc, all greatly reduced.

After all is it not an offence to ride a bike on a footpath and the law applies to everyone even a serving Police Officer consider the implications if he hit and injured someone. And i would imagine thats how his senior officer looked at it when taking the decision to tell him to stop riding it.

It seems a little strange that he has been told to stop riding the bike because of the complaint. Would he not be told to just ride on the cycle paths and roads during normal patrols? As to pursuing law breaker I would have thought he would be allowed to cycle on any pavement that he would not be normally allowed on.

I wonder what the Rotary of Dawlish think of this decision, if true.

@leatash - only when the footpath is not also a cyclepath for ignorant cyclist's.

We all should be grateful that we have officer Mark patroling our town. There are numerous times you see many people riding their bikes on the pavement most of which don't care how they ride them weaving in and out around people. Mark has been instrumental on getting rid of most of the druggies and alkies from the lawn area and the town, yes, we still have them from time to time. Mobility scooters although necessary for a lot of people but riding them actually on the road is a no-no of which I have seen on a number of occasions. Finally, officer Mark has dedicated himself to clear this town of undesirables. The person who reported him to his superior should be ashamed of themselves, however, it may have been one of those that flout the law anyway. But he does need blues and two's attached to his bike, now that would be funny.

Brooklyn bridge - Grateful ?????.............  that is what we pay our council tax for.  The unelected crime commisioner  said we would need to pay more for policing (again). Now we have electric bikes.....why not just have the bobby walking the beat.

Hi 1263, I say grateful as we had nothing in the past but a couple of PSCO's with no arrest power,he did walk the beat as it were before having the bike. I think it's better than driving around in the police car/van all day. But I do agree with you that if we are paying more council tax there is a need for another police officer. How it is now the one we have when on an early shift ends at 4pm and on a late shift ends at 11pm. So there is a need for an extra officer. How many agree??

@Brooklyn Bridge Mobility scooters although necessary for a lot of people but riding them actually on the road is a no-no of which I have seen on a number of occasions.

Well mobilty scooters have to cross any road to get to the otherside, there are places where there are no foot path, and there are plenty of times where vehicles park on the pavement and do not leave enough room to pass for mobility scooters and push chairs.

So Brooklyn Bridge what you are saying is if a Police Officer is doing a good job we should turn a blind eye if he or she breaks the law. I have been told the person who reported the indiscretion had been given words of advice about riding there bike on the footpath so if that is correct it's understandable.