Latest news with #DorsetPolice
BBC News
11 hours ago
- BBC News
Calls for tougher laws to stop people riding illegal e-bikes
Reports of illegal e-bikes being used to commit crimes and a sharp rise in seizures by police have prompted calls for tougher from police forces in Dorset, Sussex and Surrey show 66 e-bikes were taken off the streets in 2024, compared to six in Police officers have already seized 33 this year, up from 10 in 2024, and said they have stopped riders as young as 11.A spokesperson for the Department for Transport described existing regulations governing e-bike use as "strict". Currently anyone over the age of 14 can ride a legal e-bike, as long as it has pedals, does not travel faster than 15mph, and has an output of no more than police say a large number are being converted to travel faster than 15mph and do not have pedals or is a growing concern for forces, who are upping patrols and trialling new tactics to identify illegal riders involved in anti-social behaviour.I joined one Dorset Police team on a rainy morning in May, as they patrolled the streets of Poole. I rode in one of four cars, two marked and two unmarked, with a Poole neighbourhood policing team, looking for individuals who may be behaving anti-socially on Ashley Jacobs told me he recently dealt with an 11-year-old who was part of a group riding e-bikes pulled into a very quiet housing estate and the officers detained two young people and seized the e-bike they were Nick Lee said he had seen similar "especially dangerous" models reach speeds of up to 45mph."And what we've also now learned from talking to the young people involved and from looking at the bike, is it's got no brakes," he said. Insp Lee said some of the illegal e-bikes the team were seizing were used to facilitate "acquisitive crime and drug dealing".As a result, the team are trialling a new spray that can help identify e-bikes used in anti-social incidents. The SmartTag spray allows them to mark the bikes and the clothing of the rider, so when they do come across them again, they can link them to previous incidents."Every can is uniquely identifiable," Insp Lee said."We then look to carry out an investigation to identify the individuals responsible for that kind of behaviour." Julie and Lee Whitecross have seen the impact of e-bikes being driven February, Mr Whitecross was taking their Pomeranian Saffi for a walk when an e-bike rider hit and killed her. Mrs Whitecross said her husband heard the electric bike approaching at speed, while their dog was on a nearby grass verge. "The next minute, Saffi screamed," she said."We can only imagine that he's either kicked her as he's gone by or he's turned the bike wheel."She just looked up at him for a few seconds and she just died in his arms."Although the police carried out enquiries after Saffi died, the culprit was never found. Mrs Whitecross said her husband had found the loss "devastating" and hoped for better education for people riding e-bikes. "They go at such speed and it's only a matter of time before it's a mother with a child. It could kill someone." Back in Poole, once the e-bikes are seized they are taken to the station where they are collected to be are brought to Eastleigh in Hampshire, along with seized e-scooters. Insp Lee said: "This is really completing the journey. Our communities don't want these in their community. "They don't want the antisocial behaviour attached to it, and it's really sending out that message that this is something that we're not gonna tolerate."PC Ashley Jacobs said: "The impact is a lot of the time we will post on social media about our seizures. "A lot of the replies will be, you don't do anything about it or you give them back. "This, today, shows that they're not going back to the people who are riding them." What is the law on electric bikes? It is legal to ride an electric bike without a driving licence and they do not need to be registered, taxed or they need to meet certain requirements.E-bikes must have pedals, the motor should not be able to provide power to the wheels when travelling above 15.5mph (25kmph) and it should only be used on cycle paths and bike that travels faster than the limit and has more than a 250-watt output is classed as a motor vehicle and is subject to the Road Traffic Act. Labour MP for Bournemouth East Tom Hayes is calling on the government to introduce mandatory registration and licensing for Hayes said: "When I'm in my surgery appointments or knocking on doors, people feel intimidated. "I've heard stories about an elderly couple walking on Southport High Street, being circled by people wearing balaclavas on their illegal e-bikes."I'm pleased that we've got 40 additional police officers coming to our communities under government investment."I hope that with those police officers on the ground, they're going to be able to catch more of these criminally behaving people."The Department for Transport spokesperson said: "There are already strict regulations for e-bikes, including that their motors mustn't exceed 250 watts and must cut out when the bike reaches 15.5 mph."All e-bikes must meet these regulations, and the police have powers to seize e-bikes that aren't compliant." You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
BBC News
a day ago
- Business
- BBC News
Licence bid for Bournemouth bar that had illegal workers delayed
A decision on whether a company should be able to sell alcohol at a chicken bar where illegal workers were found has been permission for Chicken N Beer in Stanfield Road, Bournemouth, was revoked in May after immigration officials saw a man and a woman run out of it in Brands Ltd has applied for a new licence but Dorset Police said it had "significant concerns" about the relationship between its owner and the man previously responsible for the application was expected to be decided by Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council's licensing sub-committee earlier but that was adjourned until 27 August so all parties could be represented. You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Lane blocked on A31 after crash in Ferndown
A BUSY road in Ferndown is partially blocked due to a crash. One lane is closed and there is slow traffic due to accident on the A31 eastbound by Palmersford Roundabout. Dorset Police are at the scene and have been contacted for more information.
BBC News
3 days ago
- Automotive
- BBC News
Motorcyclist dies in three-vehicle crash near Swyre
A motorcyclist has died in a three-vehicle crash on a Dorset coast Police said a grey Audi A7, a blue Ford Mondeo and a Kawasaki motorbike collided on the B3157 near Swyre shortly before 11:00 rider of the motorbike - a man aged in his 50s - died at the scene. The drivers of the other vehicles were not injured, a police spokesperson said. Road closures have been put in place and police have appealed for witnesses to come forward. You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
BBC News
3 days ago
- BBC News
Dorset Police officers tackling anti-social behaviour over summer
More than 130 dispersal orders have been issued by police in a bid to keep beaches safe, a force has Police confirmed the orders were issued by officers in recent weeks to tackle anti-social 35 dispersal orders grant police extra powers to move people on from an area if officers have reasonable grounds to suspect they are there to engage in crime or Friday, the force worked with British Transport Police at Bournemouth train station to "engage with visitors to the area" and "ensure they were behaving". In a statement, Dorset Police said officers took part in the operation to "take action against those likely to cause anti-social behaviour in Bournemouth".South Western Railway staff also took part in the day of action, tackling people travelling on the rail network without a ticket. Insp Matt Buller, from the Bournemouth neighbourhood policing team, said: "Our role is to engage with people, show we're accessible and try to prevent suspected crime from happening."He said reports of anti-social behaviour in the area had reduced by 5% since April, compared to the same period in 2024. 'Good, safe summer' "Over recent weeks, more than 130 dispersal notices have been issued by Dorset officers to ensure the beach is a safe space for everyone to enjoy," Insp Buller would be patrolling "key locations" to reassure communities and ensure people are "safe and can feel safe within the town", he said, adding: "Our message is very clear that we want everyone to have a good, safe summer but anyone who is found to be involved in crime or disorder is not welcome here." You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
