OFF-ROAD MOTORBIKE CRUSHING EVENT
‘Not In My Neighbourhood Week’ is a campaign aimed at informing local people of the action the police and the council are taking to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour in local areas.
As part of this week of action the Be Safe Partnership organised a public off-road motorbike crushing event on the 3rd November at the steps of Bolton Town Hall.
The council and police receive numerous calls every year about the nuisance caused by off-road motorbikes. We are working together to support those residents that are plagued by this nuisance. We have responded by taking tough action against the illegal use of off-road bikes and this approach has led to a decrease in incidents across Bolton since 2004. The off-road motorbikes and quad bikes used at the event were seized by police across Bolton during the last few months.
Inspector Phil Spurgeon who leads Bolton’s Central Neighbourhood Policing Team said:
“Today’s event demonstrates how neighbourhoods can play their part in the fight against crime. Many of the bikes that were crushed today were seized thanks to residents calling us with information about people causing a nuisance and riding these machines illegally in their area. The Policing Pledge and Neighbourhood Policing is all about making sure that we are tackling the things that matter most to residents. We hold regular meetings and surgeries so people can tell us about what issues affect them in their area, but not everybody has the chance to attend these. It’s important to give everyone an opportunity to have their voice heard and as of this week, people can now also submit information online via the GMP website direct to their neighbourhood officers.”
Executive member for Cleaner, Greener, Safer, Councillor Sufrana Bashir-Ismail said:
“This is a great opportunity for people to tell us what concerns them most about their community as the council works in partnership with the police and other agencies to tackle problems with crime and anti-social behaviour. “One particular issue is the use of off-road bikes, which disturbs residents, can be dangerous and is actually a criminal offence. Drivers flouting the law could have their off-road bike seized and crushed, and could even face prosecution. In simple terms – it’s not worth taking the risk and I hope the crusher serves as a deterrent to potential law-breakers.”
HOW DO WE TACKLE OFF-ROAD MOTORBIKE NUISANCE?
Warning signs have been erected across Bolton in hotspot locations. These signs give the police powers to seize bikes immediately.
Landlords have powers to deal with anti-social behaviour, which could affect an individual’s tenancy, and tough action will be taking against those who ride and store off-road motorbikes.
We can use Anti-social Behaviour Orders against those who regularly ride bikes. · Petrol stations have a legal duty to sell petrol in a responsible way, for example it is illegal to sell petrol to anyone under the age of 16. If there is evidence that shows that they are not carrying out these duties they could face prosecution.
The police constantly receive information from the public about where bikes are stored. Home visits are made routinely and if found these bikes will be seized.
THE FACTS
Riding off-road quads and bikes is a criminal offence if you do not have permission from the person who owns the land. When a bike is seized, the owner can only have it returned after paying a recovery fee of £150 plus a storage fee of £10 per day. The bike will be destroyed if not claimed from HM Recovery (info@hmrecovery.plus.com 01204 669900). However, if an off-road bike is seized for driving on a public road, then the vehicle will be destroyed immediately because it is not insured to drive on the road.
THINKING OF BUYING AN OFF-ROAD MOTORBIKE FOR CHRISTMAS?
In most incidences it is not only illegal to ride these bikes, but it is important that parents realise that many of the bikes, the majority of them imported, are not safe to ride. In Bolton there have been several cases where riders have suffered severe injury.
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
We have powers available to us and we will use them to seize bikes and take action against offenders. If anyone has information about where off-road bikes might be stored please contact Greater Manchester Police on 0161 872 5050. The likelihood is that these bikes will be used away from where the rider lives and will be causing a nuisance for others.
Enjoying Off-road bikes legally
There are facilities available where motorbike sports can be enjoyed safely and legally. For more information about how to do this contact the Auto-Cycle Union Ltd (ACU House, Wood Street, Rugby, CV21 2YX) on 01788 566400 or admin@acu.org.uk
Setting Priorities for your Neighbourhood Policing Team
To help set local policing priorities for your community, visit www.gmp.police.uk/bolton and click on your neighbourhood page, where you can submit information about issues or concerns in your area. To report crime call police on 0161 872 5050 or for more information visit www.gmp.police.uk. Only call 999 in an emergency or where there is a threat to life or a crime in progress.
Your local Neighbourhood Policing Team can be contacted on the details below:
Bolton Central Neighbourhood Policing Team 0161 856 5619
Bolton.neighbourhoodteam@gmp.police.uk
Bolton East Neighbourhood Policing Team 0161 856 5761
Boltoneast.neighbourhoodteam@gmp.police.uk
Bolton South Neighbourhood Policing Team 0161 856 5608
Boltonsouth.neighbourhoodteam@gmp.police.uk
Bolton West Neighbourhood Policing Team 0161 856 5689
Boltonwest.neighbourhoodteam@gmp.police.uk