Police in Farnborough launched an intensive campaign last week to stop cyclists from illegally riding on pavements across the town.

The campaign was launched in response to concerns raised at police beat meetings in Empress wards, covering the town centre, and West Heath.

People have reported to police that cyclists frequently pass them on the pavement, leaving pedestrians suffering from a potentially dangerous and frightening experience.

The neighbourhood police team is now planning to crack down on the practice by stopping any cyclists they see on footpaths.

Officers will be warning that for the first three months of the campaign, anyone caught will be given a firm warning and handed a leaflet explaining the dangers and making the law clear to them.

After the three-month education period ends, officers will automatically hand out on-the-spot fines of £30, police said.

Persistent offender during the first three months would also be fined.

Pc Liz Asplin, police beat manager for West Heath, said pedestrians should be protected from all traffic - including bikes.

“Pavements are for pedestrians and people using them have the right to feel protected,” she said.

“Cyclists may feel they are doing nothing wrong by cycling on the pavement and think they won’t hurt anyone, but some pedestrians don’t share this confidence.”

For some people, particularly more vulnerable people, seeing a bicycle coming towards them on a pavement could make them feel off balance and risk falling over, Pc Asplin said, leading to potential dangerous injuries such as broken bones.

Hitting a pedestrian could also lead to serious injury to the cyclist, she added.

As well as the education and enforcement campaign, police will be advising Rushmoor Borough Council and the highways authority to try and improve facilities, such as cycle lanes, in areas where cyclists feel vulnerable from other traffic.

Council officers are currently reviewing the network of safe cycle routes across Aldershot and Farnborough, with a view to adding new sections and improving road layouts where cost allowed.

Primary schools will continue to be used to teach 10 and 11-year-old children cycling proficiency courses to help give youngsters the confidence and ability to cycle safely and legally on the roads.

Meanwhile, police in Farnborough are hoping to drum up some interest in a new “nominated neighbour” scheme.

The project seeks to reduce the numbers of distraction burglaries committed in the town, where criminals, often working in pairs or groups, trick their way into an elderly person’s home, often pretending to be from a water or electricity company.

While the householder is distracted, the criminals steal whatever they can find.

To counter the threat, elderly or vulnerable people can now nominate a person living nearby to check the credentials of strangers who knock at their door before letting them into their homes.

No-one would be allowed entry without the permission of the nominated neighbour, a trusted and easily available person nearby.

Neighbourhood police are giving out special packs with all the information needed for people to set up the scheme in their homes, and are looking to recruit those who might benefit from it.

For more information, call the Farnborough police station beat office on 0845 045 45 45.