AN ILLEGAL off-road motorbike rider was arrested today and the vehicle seized during police patrols in Stourport today (Wednesday).
Officers from Stourport Safer Neighbourhood Team, supported by Wyre Forest colleagues, our Operational Policing Unit (OPU) and Task Force, patrolled the town centre and the Walshes estate looking for those illegally riding e-bikes.
The action was in response to community concerns raised around illegal e-bikes and off-road bikes.
Officers have been out and about as part of the clampdown and gathering intelligence on those committing offences.
Illegal rider caught
A call came in from a member of the public reporting a young man doing laps of the Memorial Park on an off-road park and revving his engine behind a woman.
A group of children were playing a football match in the park at the time which raised safety fears.
Officers approached and surrounded him while he was on the stationary vehicle. They then pounced and, despite his attempts to flee the scene, successfully detained him.
Arrested and bike seized
An 18-year-old man had his ‘pit bike’ off-roader seized and he was given a TOR (Traffic Offence Report) for no insurance and driving other than in accordance with his driving licence.
He was also given a Section 59 notice regards the anti-social manner of his riding and dealt with for a small amount of cannabis found on him.
The Section 59 notice, under the Police Reform Act 2002, allows police to issue warnings and seize vehicles used in a manner causing alarm, distress, or annoyance to the public.
Caught on camera
Click here to watch the video of the illegal off-road rider being detained
Sgt Matt Ling of Stourport SNT said: “We were pleased to be able to swiftly detain an 18-year-old man who was reported as riding around Memorial Park on an illegal off-road ‘pit bike’ thanks to a call from a member of the public and some good teamwork by officers.”
He added officers would continue with the patrols and work together with the community in a bid to prevent those using e-bikes and off-road bikes illegally and in an anti-social manner.
And he encouraged the public to keep reporting any sightings to the police could act on them.
Visit: this section of westmercia.police.uk to report incidents and find out about the laws surrounding e-bikes and e-scooters.
Incidents can also be reported by calling police on 101 or 999 if a crime is in progress, particularly if there is a danger to the public.
