On quad-bike patrol

Two new off-road motorbikes have been bought by North Lanarkshire Council to tackle the growing number of issues caused by people riding quadbikes.

The bikes will be used by the police to address the increased levels of antisocial behaviour caused by the illegal use of quad-bikes on public roads, footpaths and fields.

Funding of around £ 15,000 was approved to provide two new specialist Honda bikes along with protective equipment to improve the safety of local people.

Trained police officers will use the bikes to patrol known hot-spot areas throughout North Lanarkshire.

Inspector Keith Campbell, from Police Scotland, said: “This is a complex issue to deal with and can be the result of persons knowingly riding off-road motorbikes in an illegal manner or by parents buying their children these vehicles and not being aware of the law surrounding them.

“There are of course people who use them legally, but the actions of others could potentially spoil it for them.

“The police motorbikes will be a valuable asset in disrupting such behaviour and will extend the proactive reach of police resources to deter offenders as well as offering conspicuous and highly mobile re-assurance to the community.

“We share the safety concerns of the local community who are alarmed by the use of these vehicles in parks and pathways causing huge danger to children, residents and dog walkers.

“Identification of the individuals concerned is absolutely key to tackling this issue and anyone with information should call police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”