A Hove company selling an electric version of the push-bike is selling its product to police forces in the UK.

One of the first in line for an e-bike was PC Diederik Coetzee from Nottingham who hit the headlines after making 300 arrests in a year.

John Deverell, of Theelectricbike.com, said: "They provide a fast and reliable response in crowded areas, such as demonstrations and narrow, congested city streets."

Electric bikes have very low energy use, are cheap to operate and environmentally responsible. The battery charger can be plugged into any household socket and charging a completely dead battery uses less than ten pence of electricity.

Under UK legislation they do not need tax, insurance or an MoT and, since bicycle laws apply, riders do not have to wear a helmet.