An initiative to protect cyclists by using an undercover police officer on a bicycle to target motorists who drive too close to them could be rolled out in Norfolk and Suffolk.
Norfolk police have confirmed they could be set to use a technique pioneered by another force to stop drivers who 'close pass' cyclists who share the roads.
The Give Space, Be Safe initiative saw a plain clothed West Midlands police officer riding a bicycle on some of the force's busiest roads and noting the behaviour of drivers around them.
If drivers overtook too close to the cyclist, the police officer radioed ahead to police colleagues, who then intercepted those motorists.
Those drivers were pulled over and given 15 minutes education on safe driving. But repeat offenders ? or anyone deemed to have driven dangerously close to a cyclist ? could be prosecuted and taken to court.
Cycling groups praised West Midlands Police for becoming the first force in the country to proactively target 'close pass' drivers who endanger riders.
And Norfolk police is among 16 police forces which is keen to explore whether they could run the initiative
Officers recently went to Birmingham to attend a training and question and answer session.
A spokesman for Norfolk police said: 'I can confirm that we sent officers to West Midlands Police to receive a brief on this initiative.
'It is too early to announce roll-out in Norfolk and Suffolk as we are currently considering all campaigns for the forthcoming year.'
Margaret Todd, from the Norwich Cycling Campaign, said the issue had been discussed at a recent meeting at Norfolk County Council and police who were in attendance had seemed keen on the idea.
She said: 'We would certainly like to do what we can to help them, depending on what scheme they decide to do.
'Having just ridden down Magdalen Street, there's certainly drivers who do drive too close to cyclists.
'If this can get the message across then it would make cycling a lot more comfortable.'
• What do you think of the idea? Write, giving full contact details, to Letters Editor, Prospect House, Rouen Road, Norwich NR1 1RE or email EDPletters@archant.co.uk
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