IT’S official – car chases are out and bike chases are in.

The law finally caught up with a fleeing assailant on Boxing Day after an early evening chase had police running up and down Yamba’s steepest hills and through its shopping centre.

Although half his age, the speedy offender was no match for the quick-thinking officer who made use of a pair of wheels parked and ready to ride.

Acting Sergeant Sid Hill and his partner were called to Coldstream Street by the wife of a man who was assaulted at the main intersection during a visit with his family from Grafton.

The family took refuge in the cinema after the assault and waited for police to arrive before accompanying officers into the street to find the offender.

A pursuit started on foot at walking pace and quickly turned into a run up Wooli Street and through the Calypso Caravan Park and into Harbour Street.

“I chased him along the harbour foreshore for about 20 or 30 metres before spotting the bike at one of the cabins,” Sergeant Hill said.

“I yelled out to a group of people, who obviously owned the bike, if I could take it and they said ‘go for it’.

“It was a fairly new ladies bike and I’m guessing it was a Christmas present,” Sergeant Hill said.

Sergeant Hill said that he caught up with the offender in no time but was assaulted when the man resisted arrest.

Capsicum spray was used in the arrest and a 21-year-old man has been charged with six offences.

He is due to appear in Maclean Local Court on February 2.

Sergeant Hill said although in this case a bike was useful in a pursuit, specialised police bike units were reserved for more densely populated areas.

“The area we have to cover is too great to warrant a bike unit that requires special training,” Sergeant Hill said.