Latest news with #nuisancevehicles
BBC News
3 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Chatham MP says new powers will tackle 'menace' of nuisance bikes
An MP says a change in the law will strengthen the police's power to tackle the "menace" of nuisance new measures in the Crime and Policing Bill, currently going through Parliament, will mean police can seize and crush vehicles without advance warning. It comes after residents have described parts of Chatham as like the "wild west", with reports of gangs of people on motorbikes and quadbikes speeding across parks, taking over streets and threatening members of the Osborne, the MP for Chatham and Aylesford, says the previous rules didn't allow vehicles to be seized unless the rider had committed multiple offences, but the new law will act as a "deterrent". Police usually classify 'nuisance vehicle' crimes as people gathering in gangs on bikes or quad resident Daniel Baptist says he's noticed gangs of "20 plus motorbikes going up and down the local streets"."They won't be wearing helmets, some of them," he said."Some of them are on e-bikes, some are on illegal scramblers."It frightens the hell out of some of the older residents in the area. They can be extremely noisy. Especially when you've got gangs of 20 of them riding up the road at the same time."It can be extremely noisy and quite intimidating." Last year, Medway Council attempted to tackle the issue by introducing a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) across Medway, meaning any motorist or bike rider caught causing nuisance could be fined and taken to some residents say people are still gathering and carrying out anti-social behaviour on their vehicles at sites like Barnfield Recreation Ground in Chatham, despite the strengthened powers available to local issue is documented by a social media profile called @Barnfield_Bikes. The owner of the account spoke to the BBC but didn't want to be identified for fear of his said: "There have been incidents where residents have been threatened because they've challenged riders. They've ridden around them in an intimidatory manner."It's out of control… like the Wild West." Insp Paul Diddams, from the Medway Community Safety Unit at Kent Police, said the area "remains a priority for both uniformed and plain clothed officers"."Over the last five weeks patrols, both on foot and in vehicles, have attended 32 times," he said."These patrols included attendance on nine separate occasions over the past weekend."Alex Paterson, councillor for community safety, highways and enforcement on Medway Council, says there have been 106 fixed penalty notices issued across Medway since the introduction of the said it was "clear that police are using their powers", despite it sometimes being "dangerous" for welcomed the government's plans to allow officers to seize vehicles on a first offence."We are keen to give the police as many tools as we can to tackle this so I would welcome anything that sent a clearer message to the criminals".
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Yahoo
Man arrested after 145mph police pursuit
A man has been arrested following a 145mph (233kmph) pursuit as part of a police crackdown on antisocial driving. The driver, who Kent Police said they suspected was involved in street racing, had been travelling at high speed along the M20 London-bound. Following repeated reports of nuisance vehicles and anti-social behaviour, additional patrols have been deployed to known hotspots, including East Peckham and Snodland, police say. Dispersal orders were also in place last weekend, granting officers additional power to move on anyone causing a nuisance, arrest those who return to the area once dispersed, and seize vehicles. The crackdown in west Kent led to 77 tickets and warnings being issued, a police spokesperson said. Ch Insp Mark Stubberfield said: "We will not hesitate to target the small minority who behave irresponsibly. "Those who persistently cause a nuisance risk having their vehicles seized." Follow BBC Kent on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@ or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250. Huge surge in fines for speeding on Kent roads Bad drivers to face fines in new council scheme Kent Police
BBC News
17-05-2025
- BBC News
Man arrested for 145mph pursuit during [police crackdown
A man has been arrested following a 145mph (233kmph) pursuit as part of a police crackdown on antisocial driver, who Kent Police said they suspected was involved in street racing, had been travelling at high speed along the M20 London-bound. Following repeated reports of nuisance vehicles and anti-social behaviour, additional patrols have been deployed to known hotspots, including East Peckham and Snodland, police say. Dispersal orders were also in place last weekend, granting officers additional power to move on anyone causing a nuisance, arrest those who return to the area once dispersed, and seize vehicles. The crackdown in west Kent led to 77 tickets and warnings being issued, a police spokesperson said. Ch Insp Mark Stubberfield said: "We will not hesitate to target the small minority who behave irresponsibly."Those who persistently cause a nuisance risk having their vehicles seized."
