It was once a case of bobbies on the beat or even their bikes, but now officers are getting on the bus in the bid to beat crime.

You've heard of bobbies on the beat and bobbies on their bikes - now get ready for bobbies on the bus.

Norfolk Constabulary has teamed up with the King's Lynn-based bus opeator, Norfolk Green, to increase high-visibility policing and make officers and police community support officers (PCSOs) more accessible to the communities they serve.

Members of west Norfolk community policing teams have been given free travel on a bus network that provides frequent services in and around market towns.

The idea was raised by western area road policing inspector Julian Moulton, who was keen to improve safety and reassure travellers on public transport. It was given the green light by

the company's managing director, Ben Colson.

Mr Colson said: "Our fleet of 45 buses provides nearly two million miles of local bus services every year and carries more than 5,000 people going about their business every day.

"Their safety is our number one consideration, and we are delighted to be working with Norfolk Constabulary in this way to help improve the quality of passenger transport in the area".

Safer neighbourhoods teams are made up of police officers, PCSOs and special constables, who work closely with various agencies and local people to address quality- of-life issues.

There are nine teams in west Norfolk which cover areas such as Lynn, the Terringtons, Downham Market and Hunstanon.

Chief Insp Stuart Gunn, who has been overseeing their introduction, said: "This is a great initiative which will help to get the PCs and

PCSOs better known on their area.

"It should also reassure people who regularly use the buses that the occasional poor standards of behaviour, which can be intimidating, will be challenged directly."