ON THE BEAT

Warning over illegal quad bikes

The dangers of using quad bikes and scrambler bikes without a licence or using them in public places has been well publicised in recent years.

Numerous complaints to Police Scotland have been received for areas across Lanarkshire over the past few months relating to their use, and will continue for a few weeks to come.

These bikes are only road legal if they are roadworthy, licenced and insured and the rider has the necessary licence – and even this alone would not allow them to be ridden on areas of public land where others can be put in danger.

In recent weeks, South Lanarkshire has seen a small rise in the number of incidents relating to their use in the areas of Donaldson Road, Larkhall, and also in Coalburn and Douglas.

Members of the public justifiably contact police when they hear or see quad bikes in areas they shouldn’t be, as they are genuinely worried about the consequences.

In the past riders have been charged and bikes seized and destroyed and Police Scotland will continue to target the issues, despite the obvious challenges it brings.

Often the quad bikes have been acquired, by those using them, by means of theft, often stolen from legitimate owners who keep them on rural land.

These thefts can also be linked to organised crime groups. I encourage the public to get in touch with us if you know who is using quads illegally or irresponsibly and you can report it anonymously, via Crimestoppers.

Local officers in Larkhall, one of the areas I cover, remain focussed on keeping people safe and have had cause in the past week to become involved in other road traffic matters, including a vehicle pursuit through Blackwood and Larkhall in the early hours of Saturday, August 24.

Thankfully on this occasion no-one was seriously injured and a teenager was arrested, but it comes as a timely reminder of the dangers that illegal and irresponsible drivers can put the public and police officers in.

Staying with Larkhall, Raploch Bowling Club, Crossgates Street, Larkhall, was targeted by a would-be thief in the early hours on Monday, August 26. The suspect broke a window and entered the premises before making off empty-handed. The male suspect is described as wearing light-coloured clothes and trainers.

CCTV images are being studied in the hope of identifying the person responsible, and forensic opportunities are being explored.

Finally excellent work by officers in Hamilton led to the arrest of a 37-yearold male who targeted a Sheltered Housing Complex, in Hamilton.

Further enquiries will be carried out to establish if this male carried out any other crimes in the area.