POLICE have hit the streets as part of a new campaign to improve safety for cyclists.

Dorset Police has launched its Bike Lights initiative and the Daily Echo joined officers on the first day of enforcement on Monday.

Funded by the Dorset Road Safe ‘No Excuse’ team, it sees adults spotted riding without lights given a £50 penalty and a defect notice.

They then have seven days to take their bike to a police station to prove they have fitted lights. If they do so, the ticket will be cancelled.

Young people found riding without lights and visible clothing are being issued with a warning and are being given free lights, as well as ‘No Excuse’ reflective snap bands, a torch and a fluorescent bag.

They are also being given an information letter to hand to their parents or guardians.

The Echo joined officers as they targeted the Southbourne area.

During the patrol several people were stopped, including a 15-year-old boy with only a back light on his bike.

His bike was fitted with lights and he was given the bag and information, as was a 17-year-old boy who was also stopped.

A woman, stopped in Cranleigh Road, did not take kindly to be spoken to by police for having no front light. She was given a ticket.

A 13-year-old boy was stopped in Irving Road, Southbourne.

On a separate patrol, officers stopped a woman, who was issued with a penalty notice, a 17-year-old boy and a 16-year-old German boy in Castle Lane East.

He said: “That’s very good. In Germany the police would never give any lights out for free.”

At Castle Lane West, a man and a woman were given a penalty notices.

PC Rhiannon Stroud said: “Our purpose is to educate them rather than punish them.

“There are a number of cyclists that are not being seen on the roads, it’s very dangerous for them.

“It’s our intention to keep them safe and keep them seen.”

In all, 32 sets of lights were issued to young people during Monday’s operation.

Police say that casualty figures for cyclists are on the rise.

There were four fatalities and 55 people seriously injured in 2012/13, compared to two deaths and 42 serious injuries the year before.