BRITISH Transport Police (BTP) has taken delivery of 11 new motorcycles which will be used to access difficult to reach areas on the London Underground network.

The motorcycles, which will be used by officers to tackle crime on ground level areas of the Tube are being leased from Motorcycle Management on full maintenance contracts.

The new fleet includes nine Honda ST1300 Pan Europeans and two Suzuki DRZ400s which are capable of off-road riding.

A Motorcycle Management spokesman, said: ‘The leasing arrangement means BTP is provided with accurate fixed costs over the next three years without the need for capital budgets. They can be sure that all maintenance and servicing costs including tyres will be carried out to the highest standard with no nasty financial surprises.’