Off-road bike crackdown on Rochdale moorlands sees success

Photo: jaceksphotos - stock.adobe.com

police car

An operation targeting off-road bikes on the moorland areas of Rochdale North was carried out on Saturday, 30 November, involving officers and PCSOs from Rochdale North Neighbourhood Team, the Special Constabulary, United Utilities, and several community volunteers.

The initiative focused on addressing the growing concerns about anti-social behaviour, public safety, and environmental damage caused by illegal bike activity.

The operation saw limited activity overall, with a group of four bikers fleeing towards Lancashire and two individuals spotted in various locations throughout the day. However, as daylight faded, officers encountered the two riders near Knowl Hill by Higher Naden Reservoir.

Sgt Walsh of Rochdale North Neighbourhood Team said one of the riders managed to escape, but the second was detained. They said: "His off-road bike was seized under Section 59 of the Police Reform Act for being used in an antisocial manner.”

The detained individual will also receive a Community Protection Warning, prohibiting him from similar activities in the future.

A van used to transport the bike to the area was also traced. Sgt Walsh added: "The van has been issued with a Section 59 Warning. If it is used for this or any other anti-social purposes in the coming months, it could also be seized."

The operation reflects the ongoing commitment by Rochdale North officers to combat the misuse of off-road bikes in both rural and urban areas.

Sgt Walsh added: "We will continue our efforts to deal robustly with offences linked to off-road bikes being used in both urban and rural areas. We will also be working with our colleagues from Rochdale East Neighbourhood Team to carry out joint operations in the coming months."

Residents in Rochdale and Heywood have raised repeated concerns about the dangers posed by such activities, including risks to legitimate land users, grazing animals, and environmental damage.

While off-road bike activity remains a pressing issue, the increased number of operations since May has yielded positive results.

The Rochdale North Neighbourhood Team plans to sustain and expand its initiatives to ensure safety and preserve the environment across Rochdale’s moorland and urban spaces. Residents are encouraged to continue reporting incidents to help maintain the momentum in reducing illegal off-road biking.