Police crack down on mini-moto riders (From Swindon Advertiser)

Police crack down on mini-moto riders

6:30pm Friday 15th June 2012 in News By Scott D'Arcy

PCSO Juliet Evans with a seized mini-moto in Highworth

YOBS riding mini-motos, off-road bikes and quad bikes anti-socially or illegally are the target of a neighbourhood police crackdown.

Swindon North Sector officers have launched a campaign with the Swindon Community Safety Partnership’s Anti-social Behaviour Unit and in partnership with the Woodland Trust to tackle the problem, which is expected to rise during the school summer holidays.

The hot spot areas they will be targeting include Stratton Woods, Stanton Park, Mouldon Hill, Kingsdown, Upper Stratton, Merton Fields and Meadowcroft, Sevenfields and alleyways between Pinehurst, Penhill and Abbey Meads, and Pembroke Park in Moredon.

PC Marc Jackson, Community Beat Manager for the Swindon North Neighbourhood Policing Team said: “This is an on-going problem in our community; since January we have had 60 calls regarding motorcycle related anti-social behaviour in the North Sector of Swindon, and reports usually increase during the summer holidays.

“This campaign will focus on education and prevention.

“We hope that by raising awareness among riders and the public we can reduce the number of motorcycles being ridden illegally and reduce anti-social behaviour.”

Associated problems reported to police include bikes being ridden on pavements and bridleways causing alarm to walkers and horse riders, noise from vehicles late at night and people feeling intimated by groups riding these motorbikes.

Officers will be visiting schools to educate youngsters about this issue and in hot spot areas patrols will be increased to identify offenders.

To raise awareness of the problem, the Community Safety Partnership will be running a week of action from Monday with the Swindon Safe bus parked at the North Orbital Shopping Centre on June 21 between 10am and 2pm.

Police can seize vehicles and seek Acceptable Behaviour Contracts for offenders, as well as issue fines for traffic offences and make arrests.

Anyone who witnesses motorcycles being driven illegally or in an anti-social manner should call Wiltshire Police on 101.