Pedicab Police Pursuit

Pedal power helps police

PEDAL power came to the rescue of police officers in pursuit of a man in Hereford.

Two rickshaw-style pedicabs helped two officers needing to urgently assist colleagues on the city's Castle Green.

A police pursuit unfolded when PC Ann-Marie Rosier and PC Sue Beament received an emergency distress call from officers trying to arrest a man.
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Knowing it would take too long on foot and unable to get there by patrol car, the officers were faced with a dilemma - until Hereford's two pedicabs pedalled into view.

The pedicabs had just dropped off a fare and were immediately pressed into police action and their riders - Ben Matthews and Will Vaughan - pedalled furiously to the other side of the Green with the officers on board.

"Our colleagues were some distance away and in need of urgent assistance but we couldn't get there by car," said PC Rosier. "We knew that if we ran the distance it may take too long and when we arrived we probably would not have been in the best condition to help out our colleagues - so when the pedicabs turned up we used out initiative and hopped on board."

PC Beament added that Will and Ben did a fantastic job in getting them there so quickly.

"They really got into the spirit of it and were ringing their bells to warn people we were coming," she said. "I even tried making a siren noise myself - but the bells were far more effective!"

At the scene the officers were quickly able to assist with the arrest and the man was taken to Hereford Police Station. He was later remanded into custody for his breach of bail and the assault of a police officer.

Both officers have thanked Will and Ben for their public-spirited efforts in the June chase and a generous tip will be handed over for the impromptu ride.

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This story has gotten a lot of press. So much so that they started a blog about it.
Mules for the Masses (Blog)
This is the police! We need your pedicab! (South Africa)
Calling all rickshaws! (UPI)
Rickshaws used by police in chase (BBC)
Police use rickshaws to get to crime scene (London Times)
Pedicab operator helps catch fugitive (CBS)
London Officers Commandeer Pedicab to Nab Fugitive (Law Enforcement News)
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Update Jun 17, 2007
This story has really caught fire! More articles popped up over the weekend:
International Herald Tribune (France)
Forbes.com
L.A. Times
San Diego Union Tribune