PCC supports work to tackle nuisance bikers
3rd October 2016
Police have been cracking down on motorcycle anti-social behaviour and uninsured and unlicensed drivers in the Ashington area.
Neighbourhood officers have been responding to concerns from the community about motorcycle disorder in Newbiggin and Hirst areas and the problem of uninsured and unlicensed drivers in the Northumberland town.
Police have carried out extra patrols and taken action to stop these nuisance bikes which pose a road safety threat to pedestrians, cyclists and other road users. Officers are also clamping down on uninsured and unlicensed drivers of all vehicles as this has also been raised as a community concern.
Officers have issued warnings to riders and three motorbikes have been seized by officers, one from an unlicensed driver in Ashington, two others being ridden in an anti-social manner, one around Newbiggin and the other, a stolen motorbike, was recovered by officers after being driven around Hirst.
Two cars were also seized by officers, a Corsa driven by an unlicensed driver and a Clio driven by an unlicensed and uninsured driver, was summonsed to court.
Neighbourhood Inspector Dave Harris, for Ashington and Urban Morpeth said: “We want to make sure people are safe on our roads here in the Ashington area and have been carrying out this operation to tackle problem drivers. We know that people riding motorbikes in an anti-social manner not only cause a nuisance to the local community but also put people at risk of being injured by a thoughtless biker.
“We want to make it clear to these nuisance bikers that we can and do take action to stop them in their tracks and will seize their bikes from them when necessary
“Uninsured drivers are also a danger on our roads. They help to push up premiums for other motorists and often drive with little regard for other road users so it’s vital that we do everything we can to keep them off the roads
“This means if an officer stops a vehicle with no valid insurance, then the driver faces having their licence endorsed with penalty points, paying a fine or ultimately having their vehicle uplifted and destroyed. This is a serious matter with serious consequences.”
Vera Baird QC, Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner and Chair of the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners, said: “This proactive policing activity should serve as a warning to others who think it’s ok to ride motorbokes without insurance or safety equipment – officers will take action and arrest anyone found to be breaking the law.
“Not only are these irresponsible motorsists putting themselves at risk but also the safety of others and that’s why I want to urge local residents who see anything to make sure they let the police know so they can look into it and catch those responsible.”
Residents are asked to help officers by taking down and passing onto police any descriptions of illegal motorcycles and their riders and information including registration plates.
This latest activity builds on the work previously carried out as part of Community Pride, when officers widely consulted with residents to find out what incidents caused most concerns, in order to prioritise them.
Neighbourhood officers are sharing information about problem drivers with officers from Operation Dragoon, an ongoing Northumbria Police operation which targets dangerous drivers and aims to help to educate the people of the North East about how to stay safe on our roads.
To report motorcycle disorder or suspected uninsured drivers in Ashington please contact your local neighbourhood team on 101 or email Ashington.npt@northumbria.pnn.police.uk and follow us on twitter @NPNAshington
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