Unit set up to combat illegal motorbike riding

The unit will be deployed based on intelligence received, police say

A police unit has been set up in West Yorkshire to combat dangerous and illegal motorbike riding.

The six-strong Kirklees Nuisance Anti-Social Behaviour Team had already seized six bikes, a West Yorkshire Police spokesperson said.

Four warning notices had also been issued to other riders, they added.

Ch Insp Rebecca Calpin said the dedicated unit "only enhances our capabilities" to prosecute dangerous riders.

Sgt Shaun Oates, who leads the new team, said it was the first of its kind in Kirklees and “allows us to operate with a new intensity and focus to invest time in communities which are having issues with off-road riding".

He added: “We will be operating with police bikes, a police car and more tools than we’ve ever had before to both stop illegal bikes, when appropriate, and hunt down their owners."

'Quick impact'

Members of the public have been asked to send footage of illegal riders to police, with several incidents already under review by officers.

Sgt Oates promised a "robust" approach from the unit and said police were "keen to both make a quick impact in communities and hear from residents within them".

Ch Insp Calpin said: “Anti-social and illegal riding is not tolerated in our communities and never has been. While we regularly have been prosecuting dangerous, riders having a dedicated unit only enhances our capabilities.”

She added: “Summer, unfortunately, can see an increase in this offending. We want to make use of good intelligence to helps us better deploy our team where they are needed.

“We do, and will, continue to follow up every call we receive about illegal riding with efforts made to identify suspects via submitted footage, eyewitness reports and checks with partners."

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