Putting the brakes on motorbike menace
Police seize vehicles in fight against antisocial behaviour
ACRACKDOWN on the antisocial use of motorbikes has seen a number of vehicles seized and Antisocial Behaviour Injunction orders given out.
The action was in response to 34 incidents being reported over the Easter weekend in which motorbikes were being ridden in parks and on footpaths.
Gloucestershire police said incidents have occurred in parks all over Cheltenham and often the riders do not wear any protective equipment.
Kane Townsend, 18, of Camberwell Road, Cheltenham, was handed an ASBI following a partnership between Gloucestershire police and Solace to tackle the issue, following a number of incidents being reported over Easter.
As a result of an injunction secured at Gloucester County Court, Townsend is now forbidden from a number of activies.
This includes engaging in conduct which causes or is capable of causing alarm, harassment or distress to any person within the town of Cheltenham.
Townsend is forbidden from riding, or being a passenger on, any moped in any park, field or open space in Cheltenham.
He is also forbidden from riding any moped at any time unless he is the registered keeper with the DVLA and the moped is taxed and insured to him.
A power of arrest applies to each condition and the injunction is in place for one year, expiring May 23 2020.
If members of the public witness Townsend breaching the injunction, please contact police on 101.
A breach of an injunction is classed as contempt of court and punishable by an unlimited fine or two years imprisonment.
Since April 26, officers from the Cheltenham Neighbourhood Policing Team have been working with several partner agencies on Operation Endurance.
During the first month of Operation Endurance, Gloucestershire police seized 14 motorcycles and issued warning notices alongside Anti-social Behaviour warning letters.
A number of incidents of mopeds being ridden anti-socially in the Fiddlers Green area next to a children’s play area were reported during the school Easter holidays. Agencies involved with Operation Endurance include Gloucestershire Constabulary, Solace, Cheltenham Borough Homes, Cheltenham Borough Council, Youth Support Team and Social Services. Gloucestershire police are continuing to work with partners to deal with this issue and urge people to call the 101 if they have any information or see any motorcycles being used illegally or in an antisocial manner.
If you have any photographs of the bikes being ridden, Gloucestershire police would appreciate them being sent on as it will allow them to identify the owners and seize their bike, however do not put yourself at risk by doing so.