Message sent to anti-social off-road bikers

Off-road biker using rutted green lane

Anti-social use of off-road bikes and quads continues to blight the lives of many residents of the Borough and newly elected Councillor for North Heywood, Councillor Peter Rush, wasted no time in keeping one of his election promises when he urged the Council to investigate the possibility of assuming powers to confiscate and destroy off-road bikes being used illegally.

Councillor Rush acknowledged that not all bikers are anti-social, however, those that are he said are quot;causing damage to parks and open spaces and badly affecting the quality of life of residents." He asked for clear signs to be erected warning bikers in order that the police could use existing powers to confiscate bikes.

Kingsway Lib Dem Councillors, Mark Birkett and David Clayton concurred and explained the extent of the problem in their ward. Councillor Clayton said: quot;it is a major problem and I would like to see confiscation." Councillor Birkett agreed adding: quot;we are talking about sending a message to these people who are attacking our quality of life that we will no longer tolerate their anti-social behaviour."

Councillor Irene Davidson, Lib Dem Councillor for Milnrow amp; Newhey, shared her harrowing experience of confronting illegal bikers, she said as a result she had been verbally abused and her home attacked with windows smashed and graffiti sprayed on the brick work.

Labour Councillor Lynne Brosnan who has worked closely with Greater Manchester Police to try and do something to alleviate the problem urged people to contact the police with details as doing so often led to successful police action.

The only dissenting voice was that of Conservative Councillor for Bamford, Ian Duckworth, who was critical of quot;motions not being followed through." What he asked quot;was the point in putting forward these motions if nothing is done to follow them through?" He suggested that henceforth those tabling motions should be required to report progress at the next council meeting.

Councillor Paul Rowen dismissed Councillor Duckworth's criticism explaining that it is up to the Government to make decisions about legislation and they had clearly indicated they wanted a licensing scheme for off-road bikes. He said: ldquo;what we are asking is for the Council to support this" - the Council overwhelmingly did so across the party divide.

Greater Manchester Police Authority is running a 'Stop Off-Road Nuisance Campaign', they have this to say on their web site (www.gmpa.gov.uk):

The issue of off-road motorcycle nuisance has been identified as an area of public concern via public consultation mechanisms, and GMPA identified that a registration scheme would be a useful tool to help combat the growing problem of anti-social behaviour related to the illegal use of off-road motorcycles.
       
The police authority believe that, as it is a strategic organisation, it can adopt the role in relation to off-road nuisance as campaigner for an off-road registration scheme. The police authority should also be able to fulfil a role of bringing partnerships together to enable a joined-up approach to problem solving and also to engage with the public about the issue. 

Registration Scheme
The primary aim of the off-road scrutiny project being undertaken by the authority, is to achieve the establishment of a mandatory, retrospective and continuous off-road registration scheme as the authority believes that it will deliver the following benefits:

Increased enforcement powers for the criminal justice system
Currently there is little scope for establishing the owner of a particular bike. If an individual is causing a nuisance with an off-road motorcycle and the motorcycle is seized under the Police Reform Act, another individual can claim the motorcycle back without penalty if they claim that they are the owner and have no knowledge of the nuisance being caused. A registration scheme would establish the registered keeper and identify the bike at first contact.

Reduction in the stolen off-road motorcycle market
There is no way of knowing the size of the illegal market in stolen off-road motorcycles. Most purchasers do not log the frame or engine numbers which can allow easier identification of stolen property. Judging from the motorcycles seized in GMP, many bikes have the engine / frame numbers defaced. A registration scheme would also allow easier prosecution of those found to be handling stolen goods e.g. in possession of a motorcycle without documentation.

Improvements to police intelligenceIf a report of off-road motorcycle nuisance is received, a description of the bike would be able to be used to search for similar bikes registered in the local area, therefore improving the likelihood of identifying the perpetrator.

Consumer Protection
Currently, consumers have no way of knowing whether or not they are buying stolen property, as there are no requirements to provide documentation. A registration scheme would ensure that keeper records were logged and traceable. Consumers could expect the correct documentation to be available at the point of sale.

If you wish to express your support for the GMPA registration scheme please email: stopoffroadnuisance@gmpa.gov.uk