Public can help curb motorbike nuisance

Officers are asking the public to continue to work with them as part of an ongoing battle to tackle offroad bikes.

Neighbourhood and response teams across Northumbria have been responding to your calls and seizing bikes believed to be linked to anti-social behaviour and disorder.

Across the Ryhope, Grangetown and Silksworth areas of Sunderland, officers have been armed with a long-lens camera funded by Sunderland City Council in a bid to clearly identify riders and target those making life a misery for communities.

That recently resulted in a 25-year-old man being summonsed to court for driving offences and a number of other bikes uplifted.

Meanwhile in South Tyneside, five riders believed to have used their bikes in a dangerous or reckless manner were given Section 59 warnings – paving the way for further criminal action.

Chief Inspector Paul Walters, of Northumbria Police, said: “We know that the actions of a minority who tear around on these bikes can have a detrimental effect on those living in our communities.

“Many of these riders don’t have insurance and their bikes aren’t road-worthy. We are being supported by our local authorities on this matter and will continue to take action against riders and seize these vehicles.

“I would continue to ask members of the public to be our eyes and ears. If you see anbody riding in a dangerous manner, report it – and please pass on any information you have as to where these bikes are being stored overnight.

“By working together, we can continue to take positive action.”

Anyone who is aware of bike-related criminality is asked to contact police via the Tell Us Something page of our website or by calling 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.