Tri-force operation tackles anti-social motorcycle activity

On the closing day of the national ‘2Wheel’ campaign, launched to improve safety for riders on two wheels, Derbyshire Constabulary, Cheshire Police and Staffordshire Police recently joined forces to tackle on and off-road motorcycle activity causing a nuisance to local and rural communities.

As April is considered to be the beginning of the motorcycle season, with the better weather and easing of restrictions, there has been an increase in bikers taking to our roads and a raise in community nuisance concerns.

The 8-hour operation began from the Cat and Fiddle Inn on the A537 and went on to target routes with the highest harm statistics where, sadly, riders have been either killed or seriously injured in collisions. This high visibility operation is the latest in a number of patrols by officers, where the key aim is in educating and engaging with riders on our counties most popular roads, to reduce these statistics and protect both riders and other road users.

Over the course of this joint operation, top offences included numerous dangerous driving offences or driving without due care, poor vehicle roadworthiness, riding at excess speeds, lack of insurance, various number plate offences and recovery of a stolen bike that failed to stop for police.

Sergeant Adam Titterton, Derbyshire Constabulary Roads Policing Unit operational lead, said: “We’ve been listening to a lot of community concerns lately surrounding these issues and we are taking them very seriously.

“We’re proud of our county, our amazing roads and the beautiful green spaces that it provides and we know how important it is to the residents of Derbyshire to protect these areas and combat anti-social road use and rural nuisances.   

“We are cracking down on motorcycle riders that choose to flout the law and off-road vehicles, which are disruptive to the local community. By interacting with riders, we hope to heighten their education and keep both themselves and others from harm. 

“This operation also provided our officers with the perfect opportunity to go out and engage with the public, which received some really positive feedback from members of the local community, cyclists, motorcyclists and families out for day trips.

“We’d like to take this opportunity to thank Cheshire Police and Staffordshire Police for their assistance in keeping our region safe.”

Hear from our officers across the joint force collaboration on the importance of this enforcement operation on Youtube.com

How to report an incident

If you are concerned about this type of behaviour in your area, please contact your local policing team or report it using the below methods:

• Facebook – send us a private message to /DerbyshireConstabulary
• Twitter – direct message our contact centre on @DerPolContact
• Website – complete the online contact form police.uk/Contact-Us.
• Phone – call us on 101.