Bill introduced to tackle anti-social off-road bikes

Police officers should be able to confiscate nuisance off-road bikes from riders’ homes, a Labor MP has said.

North Durham MP Luke Akehurst introduced the Off-Road Bikes (Police Powers) Bill amid calls for action on motorbikes being driven in parks and on footpaths.

He told the Commons that the bikes were “being driven in a dangerous and anti-social manner” and in some cases caused “damage and injuries”.

Trimdon and Thornley councilor Lucy Howells Earlier said that she has “met a lot of people who are living in fear”. Because of the bike.

Akehurst said local police had told him there were “loopholes” in the existing law around their power to seize off-road vehicles.

Officers already have the power to enter most premises, including private garages, and seize motor vehicles “used in a manner causing alarm, distress or vexation” or driven without insurance, but this does not extend to private homes. do not apply.

Akehurst said his bill would seek to amend previously agreed laws to “give police the power to enter a private residence for the purpose of seizing an off-road bike driven in an anti-social manner or without insurance”. .

The MP said he considered it was “an intrusive power” and “should be subject to strict legal safeguards and used proportionately”.

Durham Police and Crime Commissioner Joy Allen previously said she wanted to Send drones to chase anti-social riders.

Police are currently using such bikes to catch suspects.

The government previously vowed to crack down on “off-road bikes in public parks, dangerous e-scooters on footpaths, street racing, all of which inflict misery on local communities”.

In a statement last month, Policing Minister Dame Diana Johnson said that as part of the upcoming Crime and Policing Bill, officers will no longer have to issue warnings before impounding vehicles involved in anti-social behaviour.

The bill will be listed for debate on March 7 next year.