New squad revved up to stop bike theft and nuisance riders
A NEW Humberside Police squad vows to clamp down on motorbike thefts and nuisance caused by illegal riders across the city.
The new motorbike unit is dedicated to tackling illegal use of motorbikes and antisocial behaviour it causes and has been set up by the Hull Community Safety Partnership.
The new team consists of 12 officers from Humberside’s Neighbourhood Policing Teams and members of Hull City Councils antisocial behaviour team.
The new team is kitted out with their own garage of bikes in a bid to deter criminals and they have promised to engage with members of the community and deal with those driving in an antisocial way.
As a part of #Opyellowfin, officers have continued to proactively stop motorcyclists and deal with those who ride in antisocial manor or are believed to be riding a stolen bike.
The inspector leading the new taskforce Mark Peasgood said: “Through Humber-talking and engaging with the communities the misuse of motorbikes has been highlighted as a real concern with residents.
“Taking the feedback seriously working with the partnership, we are committed to tackling the issue.
“Since launching, we have spoken to lots of people in the community who have been really pleased to see our officers out on motorbikes.
“The team, working with the council will be looking to build and develop relationships with the local biker community, businesses and residents which will help support them to find and develop solutions to tackle crimes affecting them.
“I cannot stress enough how important it is for us to hear from our residents about the problems they are experiencing as this helps us achieve a better understanding on how we tackle the issues.
“As a part of the new task force the team will also be working with Safer Roads Humber to engage and educate riders around motorcycle safety and the dangers of driving these vehicles in an antisocial manner.”
Tracy Harsley, the Chair of Safer Hull, said: “Hull City Council is proud to support this initiative as part of the Hull Community Safety Partnership.
“It is important for our residents to be able to feel safe in their communities.
“The vast majority of motorcycle riders in the city use them in a safe and respectful manner, but those who ride illegally or in an antisocial way can cause concern from residents in these communities.
“This initiative will hopefully go a long way to help people feel safe, while also reassuring motorcycle owners that action is being taken to prevent the theft of motorcycles in Hull.”
Police Detective Sergeant AJ Whitehead, who has 17 years’ service, said: “I’ve spent the majority of my time as an officer policing across the areas of Hull and East Riding before taking on the role of Sergeant as a part of #Opyellowfin in 2019.
“Since then I have worked alongside the northbank proactive team in a bid to make our communities safer by actively targeting and disrupting those wanting to commit crime and antisocial behaviour in Hull.
“As a keen motorcyclist myself with a passion for targeting motorbike enabled crime and nuisance motorcyclist working in the new task force, I’m excited to start educating people and supporting legitimate and legal riders, as well as forging links with the motorcycle community.”
Police Constable Darren Kirkwood, who has worked in policing for 20 years, said: “Since starting out as a probationer, over the course of the past 20 years I’ve had the opportunity to police Hull City Centre and west Hull before I joined the east Hull Community Policing team as the Beat Manager in 2018.
“It’s really important to me that the communities we police know what we are doing to tackle issues in their local area, that’s why I like to keep people up to date via social media (@Pcdkirkwood).
“Those that follow me on Twitter will know that I spend a lot of time on two wheels when I am out cycling raising money for police charities.
“I’ve also ridden motorbikes for the past ten years so I am looking forward to swapping my cycle helmet for a motorcycle helmet to make a real difference in disrupting criminality and antisocial behaviour across Hull along with assisting partner agencies in the education around motorcycle safety.”
Police Constable Lee Eggleton said: “Spending the majority of my career as a Response Officer there isn’t a lot I haven’t seen.
“In recent years I began tutoring student officers and sharing my experiences. I have also managed several investigations before I joined the Community Policing team alongside PC Kirkwood in 2019 as a Community Beat Manager.
“I’m excited to see what change the new task force will bring as
keen motorbike rider myself. “I’m really optimistic that this fantastic opportunity will help provide reassurance to residents while targeting and educating those who fall foul of the law.”