Councillor’s call for police to ‘ram’ rogue motorbike riders

A councillor has called for new powers so police officers in the North East can ram rogue motorbike riders.

Last month, the Metropolitan Police revealed that specially-trained “Skorpion” officers were using their cars to knock offenders off motorcycles as they tried to escape from snatch robberies.

Coun Jeff Milburn, who represents the Cleadon and East Boldon ward, has called on Northumbria Police to adopt the same tactics to deal with problem motorcycle riders.

He told the West Shields, Cleadon and East Boldon Community Area Forum he planned to write to Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Dame Vera Baird over the issue.

He said: “At every meeting we talk about these motorcyclists who ride around our area without number plates, pulling wheelies, kicking cars and they cause all sorts of trouble. We now see that officers with the Metropolitan Police come round and take them out.

“I don’t want people to get hurt but, equally, who gets hurt? The police need to be empowered to stop these people.

“I believe it has to be asked if Northumbria Police can do this.”

Neighbourhood Inspector Phil Baker, speaking after the meeting, said: “We understand the concerns of the councillor and want to reassure him that we have been very proactive in tackling reports of motorcycle disorder in the area.

“It is important that the public understand the nature of this disorder as it is very different from the type of criminality experienced in London.

“Currently, there are no plans to introduce a similar policy to what is used by officers in the capital.”