Crimes on 2 wheels DOUBLE in 3 years
THEFTS, anti-social behaviour, dangerous driving - crime on two wheels in Greater Manchester become all too familiar.
The number of crimes where the words ‘moped,’ ‘scooter,’ motorcycle’ or ‘motorbike’ has appeared in the description of the Modus Operandi (MO) - the offender’s method - has DOUBLED in the past three years, the M.E.N. can reveal.
According to figures obtained via a Freedom of Information request, there were 2,192 crimes with such vehicles recorded in Greater Manchester in 2015-16 2,842 in 2016-17, but in the year 2017-18, the number of crimes surged to almost 4,500.
Complaints vary from offenders committing robberies and thefts on two wheels, to riders riding off-road bikes illegally in residential areas, endangering other road users and themselves, and creating a noise nuisance.
So what are the authorities doing about this problem, which tends to get worse in warmer weather?
Firstly, Greater Manchester Police is deploying a specialist unit - the Safer Roads Targeting Team (SRTT) to tackle issues with two wheel vehicles. The team is intended to provide back-up to help neighbourhood officers with specific problems, and is equipped with a fleet of on and off-road bikes and unmarked cars to catch potential offenders.
That team have quite a job on their hands. Problems reported to the M.E.N. by readers offer a glimpse of the scale of the problem posed by the use of offroad bikes.
Distinct from mopeds, these vehicles - quad bikes, scramblers, mini-motos and go-peds - are not built for road use and it is illegal to ride them outside designated areas. There are no places where off-road vehicles can be legally ridden in Manchester.
Manchester council advises concerned residents to keep a record of riders’ clothing, the type of off-road bike, the location - and even the name and address of the rider, if you know it, before reporting it to Crimestoppers or police non-emergency number 101.
Salford Council launched a crackdown in Little Hulton after it was plagued by off-road riders last year, which councillor David Lancaster said resulted in police seizing 24 illegal bikes. He added: “Anti-social nuisance from off-road bikes has gone down in that area - and I hope by using the same combination of public reports, CCTV footage and partner support we can achieve the same success in other areas. Information is key to doing that.”
Salford Council is now urging people with problems in its area to report them using its anti-social behaviour reporting form.
The moves comes as reports of illegal riders putting people in fear and disrupting people at local beauty spots have risen in the last few weeks. Recent reports of problems on social media include at Lower Kersal, Broughton, Pendleton, Albert Park and the new flood basin off Littleton Road in Salford.
In Wigan, post-industrial areas have become a magnet for riders.
Off-road bikes being used illegally is a big concern for both police and residents, with riders drawn to the disused mining areas across the region.
Meanwhile, there are even claims that off-road bikers may be linked to the devastating blaze that has taken hold on Saddleworth moor.
Farmer James Crowther, 30, said he saw a group of five motorbike riders hours before the fire started.
“When the fire moved on, it left behind something that looked liked a scorched desert.
“That’s when we found fag ends absolutely everywhere. What sort of brainless idiot throws a fag end down in the grass on the hottest day of the year?”
In other parts of the region, GMP have been ramping up action.
In Bury - officers recently spent the weekend issuing warnings to off-road bikers to stay off Holcombe Moor.
And, in Trafford, GMP launched Operation Considerate to combat reports of anti-social bikers in Partington and Carrington, warning them they face having their bikes confiscated and getting fines.
The specialist team has also conducted operations in Wigan, Oldham, Rochdale and Tameside.
Between January 2017 and January 2018, around 100 off-road bikes have been seized during various police operations across Greater Manchester and more than 150 warnings have been issued to riders for using their vehicle in a manner likely to cause alarm, distress or annoyance.
A booklet has been issued to residents across Greater Manchester on what to do if they are being plagued by off-road bikes with the following advice:
Step one - make a note of what’s happening and when
Step two - more information the better, get in touch with neighbourhood watch
Step three - speak to relevant authorities i.e. council, housing
Step four - call police on 101.