Patna, March 26: Cops patrolling the city streets, mainly the different colonies and localities in the late evening hours, will be given bicycles to tackle eve teasers and chain snatchers.

Patna senior superintendent of police Manu Maharaaj on Thursday said the administration was considering the idea of providing bicycles to cops.

"We have started beat policing in some areas to control incidents of theft, loot and snatching," said the officer. "The idea of beat policing was floated around two months back and while it is being implemented, it needs to get more effective. We are considering men on bicycles.

The officer added that a definite time frame had not been allotted for implementation of the idea.

The plan was first thought of when Manu Maharaaj was the Patna SSP in 2014, but further developments did not take place.

Sources in the police said the initial plan was to distribute 50 bicycles to the police stations in the first phase.

Back in 2014, Delhi police had introduced eight bicycles to be used when patrolling areas such as Moat Road (near Red Fort), Companybagh area and around Delhi University.

Calcutta police also have bicycle cops. Also, forces such as New York Police Department and the Washington State Patrol have special groups patrolling on bicycles.

"Having bicycles while patrolling solves a lot of problems," said another officer requesting anonymity. "There are many parks in Patna from where we have received reports of eve teasing. Patrolling on foot is good but then when it comes to catching a criminal running through narrow lanes, a bicycle is a good transport. Localities with narrow lanes such as Ashok Rajpath, Patna City area, Kankerbagh and others will be benefited."

The Police don't want to go in for high-end bicycles as of now.

"The police are comfortable with simple bicycles," said the officer. "The proposal will be soon sent to the police headquarters and the buying process will start. The plan is expected to be rolled out soon."