Latest news with #offroadbiking
BBC News
11-08-2025
- BBC News
Police in Telford target illegal bikers
Police in Telford have been cracking down on illegal off-road biking, which they say is a "danger for members of the public".West Mercia Police said it had seen an increase in complaints from local people who had seen the bikes being ridden on paths and in is illegal to ride off-road motorbikes and quad bikes on public land like bridleways and David Williams is part of the force's motorcycle team and said the use of police motorbikes was helping officers tackle the issue more effectively and "make our community safer". West Mercia Police is being assisted by West Midlands Police, which has provided off-road bikes for the is also air support from the National Police Air Service, whose aircraft are able to spot and track the riders. Sgt Williams said officers get "numerous calls" from the public about off-road biking, meaning they can "build up a picture of where [offenders] are, what time of day they're there"."We're taking this issue to them directly as opposed to waiting for a call and nobody being available," he added. The project, dubbed Operation Spree, is being led by Sgt Richard Jones."Telford is mainly built up of close communities, so they're riding on pavements around housing estates and causing distress and danger for members of the public," he said. Sgt Jones added that a lot of riders were not wearing the appropriate kit, including helmets, and often did not have the skills required to ride the bikes safely. Senior Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) Katy Balaam said people had reported feeling unsafe and scared by off-road bikes, and advised them to call 101 if they spotted riders using them in antisocial ways. Follow BBC Shropshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
BBC News
18-06-2025
- BBC News
Safety concerns rise over Gateshead illegal off-road bikers
Urgent action is being called for to stop illegal off-road biking putting walkers, cyclists and horse riders at living in the Eighton Banks area of Gateshead said the problem of motorcyclists illegally using a nearby bridleway was steadily getting worse, with peaks on weekends.A BBC drone captured footage of several scramblers using the route, which used to be part of the old Bowes Rail Line servicing nearby coal Police said it remained committed to tackling anti-social behaviour. 'Someone will get hurt' The concerns come as the Government's Crime and Policing Bill progresses through Parliament with the aim of enhancing police Dixon, who has lived in the area for more than 40 years, said: "The police can't do anything about it and cannot catch them."He said someone could be seriously injured if the problem was not Smith, from Jarrow, rides her horse around Eighton Banks and said she had first-hand experience of how the animals reacted when spooked."There was one incident a couple of years ago where a stolen motorbike accelerated past us and we ended up in a ditch with one horse on its side," she said."This is what we're up against most of the time." 'Vehicles to be destroyed' A spokesperson for Northumbria Police said the problem was being taken seriously and a number of bikes had been seized from an address in added the vehicles were linked to dangerous driving and would eventually be the help of Gateshead Council, the force has put up signs to remind the public that motorbike use in the bridleway is illegal and urged anyone with similar concerns about their area to get in touch. Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook and Instagram.
