Nuisance bikes seized by police

POLICE have seized more than 35 off-road motorbikes and destroyed some of them as part of a crackdown on nuisance riders.

In the last six months, officers have taken a “zero tolerance” approach to riders in Tunstall and crushed some motorised scooters and mini-motos.

Police are now asking parents not to buy them for their children as Christmas presents.

Inspector Mark Hardern, pictured, commander of Tunstall Neighbourhood Policing Unit, said: “The number of calls relating to people riding nuisance bikes across Tunstall has fallen from 321 from April to October 2008 to 300 in the same period in 2009.

“This has had a positive impact on people’s quality of life. We have received numerous comments from residents telling us the crackdown is working.

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“These vehicles cause significant noise nuisance and can be a danger to the public. We will continue to take action against those people who use them.”

Anthony Hall, chairman of Talisman Residents’ Association, said: “We have noticed such a big difference in recent months. We used to see bikes every day and it was horrendous, but now I only spot them about once a month.

“The police have done a fantastic job and it really has improved the quality of life for people living in this area.

“Noise nuisance from the bikes was the main problem, but there was also the fear factor for people walking pets.

“It had got to the stage where people couldn’t sit in their back gardens in the summer. I think it is largely the fault of irresponsible parents who do not realise these bikes are illegal. Anyone thinking about buying them for their kids should think again.”

The city council has installed signs on greenways, warning riders they are risking police action.

And 20 warnings were issued to riders in Tunstall about their behaviour. If these are ignored, anyone caught riding illegally will have their bike taken off them immediately. Riders will then be forced to pay a recovery cost, plus a daily storage fee, to get their bike back. However, if police feel it is necessary, usually in the case of repeat offenders, the bikes will be destroyed.

Legally, the bikes are classed as mechanically propelled vehicles, the same as a full-size road motorbike.

The minimum age to use them is 16 and riders require a driving licence, MOT and insurance.

It is illegal to ride a scooter or mini moto on any public land, any land owned by the local authority, including greenways and parks, and any private land, unless you have the owner’s permission.

A Stoke-on-Trent City Council spokesman said: “These bikes have posed a big problem to the community in Tunstall. It’s important parents who may be thinking of buying bikes like these for their children at Christmas realise both how dangerous they can be and how much of a nuisance they can be to other residents.”

Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service has also been involved in the antisocial behaviour crackdown, with figures showing a 60 per cent reduction in fires on some parts of the greenways.

Ed Case, watch manager from Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: “We have found there has been a significant reduction in car fires and we believe the partnership has been a key contributor to this.”