Police in Hanoi began using bicycles in their patrol activities in a new move to improve patrol efficiency in small, narrow alleys in the capital city on Wednesday. Seventy bicycles have been handed over to police units in charge of social order in 12 wards in 12 districts in the city in a pilot plan aimed at improving urban security and traffic safety, said Colonel Dao Thanh Hai, deputy director of the Hanoi Police Department. This patrol model was approved by the Ministry of Public Security and the Hanoi People’s Committee, the Vietnam News Agency quoted Col. Hai as saying. At 4:00 pm yesterday, police officers in Trang Tien Ward in Hoan Kiem District were one of the first units in the capital to use bicycles for patrols. These specialized bicycles have the same green color as the uniforms of patrollers.  Such a bicycle weighs 17kg and has a steel frame. It is equipped with a water jug, a flashlight and a small police briefcase fixed on the frame. By using bicycles, police can more easily patrol in small and narrow lanes in the city, thereby improving patrol efficiency, a leader at the Hanoi Police Department said. While patrolling to maintain order and safety in alleys on bicycles, police will also provide locals with knowledge of laws and urge them to comply with regulations on traffic safety, urban order and a civilized lifestyle, city police said. This model will contribute to building the police force’s capacity in taking charge of social order and create units that are regular and elite but friendly and close to the public.   However, police officers may face difficulty when they use bicycles to chase criminals on streets, another police official said. “I was rather surprised at seeing police officers patrolling on bicycles. This helps to create an image of simple and friendly police officers in the eyes of people,” Nguyen Duc Minh, a resident in Hanoi, said.

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