Reward available in South Derbyshire fight against anti-social use of motor bikes
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Officers from our Safer Neighbourhood teams in South Derbyshire have teamed up with the independent charity Crimestoppers and South Derbyshire District Council to tackle the illegal and anti-social use of off-road and quad bikes in the area.
They are appealing for information from the public, with Crimestoppers offering a reward of up to a £1000 for any information passed to them that secures a conviction.
The move comes after the team received 24 calls about the issue in May.
Sergeant Matt Haslam, who is from the team and leading the operation, said: “This issue is causing disturbance and a danger to residents across the area.
“These types of vehicles are unlicensed, uninsured and often the rider has no driving licence. The rider often doesn’t wear the required safety equipment which increases the risk of serious injury being caused. I have seen the devastation and injury, a rider not wearing protective clothing has suffered, when involved in a collision.
“Often by the time the incident is reported to my team the bikes have left the area without any way of identifying the bike or the rider and so my team and I are appealing to members of the public for help by providing the information we can use to tackle the offenders.”
If you want to help to stop this issue, the team are asking for help in the following ways:
- The submission of any footage of illegal use of these type of vehicles via Derbyshire Capture at https://snap.derbyshire.police.uk/.
- Information about any vehicles being used, their distinctive features or who is riding them
- Information as to where the bikes are being stored whilst they are not being used
- If you are the owner of an off-road bike and no longer want it, we will happily take it off your hands and dispose of it. Just give us a call and we will do the rest.
Sgt Haslam added: “We will also be utilising the force drone unit to provide footage from the air to track and tackle this type of anti-social behaviour.
“Section 59 of the Police Reform Act 2002 allows us to seize any vehicle which has been used in an anti-social manner, without warning and allows the Police to enter certain premises to do so.
“Section 43 of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 also gives us powers to issue community protection warnings and notices to those found causing a nuisance. Breach of these orders can lead to a £100 fine or a Court appearance”.
If you have any information that would help stop this issue contact the team using any of the following non-emergency contact methods, quoting Operation BRENCO:
- Facebook – send us a private message to /DerbyshireConstabulary
- Twitter – direct message our contact centre on @DerPolContact
- Website – complete the online contact form www.derbyshire.police.uk/Contact-Us.
- Phone – call us on 101.
You can also anonymously contact the independent charity Crimestoppers, on 0800 555 111 or by visiting www.crimestoppers-uk.org. Only information passed to Crimestoppers will be eligible for any reward.