Off-road park to put the brakes on bikers
Police are exploring options to develop a dedicated facility for off-road motorcycles to help reduce antisocial behaviour in local communities.
Motorcycle disorder is a regular topic at council meetings across Tyne and Wear, with concerns over speeding, noise and public safety.
Despite schemes being rolled out in an attempt to betteridentifyridersandvehicles, the issue still takes up a large amount of police resource.
As part of an alternative approach to dealing with the issue,NorthumbriaPolicehopes to follow in the footsteps of police in Scotland by developing adedicatedmotorcyclefacility.
This aims to divert off-road motorbikes, and the associated issues they cause, away from populated areas to a site where riders can use the vehicles safely.
Plansforsuchafacilitywere raised at a Sunderland North Area Committee meeting.
Althoughthefulldetailsare to be confirmed, city councillors heard the force is looking to acquire a plot of land near
South Tyneside, Sunderland and Gateshead.
A further update on the project was given to South Tyneside Council’s Hebburn Community Area Forum.
Neighbourhood Inspector, Denise Easdon, said a meeting is expected to take place this month to provide more information on the scheme, how it has worked in practice in Scotlandandthechallenges/issues.
It is understood that the proposals are still being developedandaresubjecttofurther decision-making.
However the overall aim would be to try to “replicate” the off-road bike facility project within the Northumbria Police force area.
Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Kim McGuinness, welcomed the force exploring new options to tackle antisocial behaviour.
“Dangerousoff-roadmotorbiking is a problem that needs along-termsolution,”shesaid.
“I know Northumbria Police are taking proactive measures to identify those responsible and, where necessary, take away the bikes involved.
“Butaswellasthatpoliceresponse, we also need to look at widerchanges,andpartofthat
means looking to see if young people can be taught to enjoy motorbikes without causing disruption to others. So it’s great the police are exploring these options.
“For me, that is how our regionneedstoapproachantisocial behaviour.
“Yes, there will sometimes need to be a police response, but alongside that there needs to be joined up work from councils,youthservices,housing providers and others to tackle the causes of anti-social behaviour.
“I know our councils in Northumberland [and] Tyne and Wear are committed to
this, and I look forward to working with them.”
A Northumbria Police spokesperson added: “We knowthattheantisocialbehaviour of a minority can have an adverse effect on the communitiesweserveandwearecommittedtotakingactionagainst those involved.
“We will continue to review and use all tactics at our disposal to tackle this issue, and would as ever ask the community to work with us.
“If you know the identity of these riders, or know where bikes are being stored overnight, please report it to police.”