Police call for help to catch off-road bikers
POLICE are asking members of the public to help them tackle the ‘massive spike’ in illegal off-road bikes – by taking pictures for them.
Warmer summer weather has seen a predicted increase in the problem, with Stockport a particular hotspot.
Greater Manchester Police has a designated ‘Safer Roads Targeting Team’ to deal with off-road bike nuisance on public roads and open spaces.
But at a Stockport council meeting, Sergeant Phil Lowe said residents could only expect to see it in the borough for ‘one or two days a year.’
He residents emailing photographs of perpetrators was an effective way to stop illegal riders in their tracks. Sgt Lowe said: “It is the time of year that we have seen the predicted massive spike in this.
“I was driving down Greek Street (in Shaw Heath) and one went past doing wheelies. I turned my car round, by the time I’d turned it round it was gone.
“That sort of policing isn’t going to work on it. We have had to look at other ways of doing it.”
Police are also working with Stockport Homes. Off-road bikes being stored at housing association properties can be a breach of tenancy.
Sgt Lowe added: “A member of the public has sent through to us about 10 photos in the Brinnington area and we have identified pretty much everyone on them so we are prosecuting on that.
“We put something on social media the other day, which was an appeal to the public about if they can tell us who’s riding them and where they are being stored.
“Anything really on which we can take action. The best way is if you get photographs email them in and we will act on that.”
The issue of off-road bikes had initially been raised by Davenport and Cale Green councillor Wendy Wild.
She said there were safety concerns, adding: “It is quite distressing for a number of residents.”
Anyone with information or photos can email stockport.central@ gmp.police.uk.