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The police in Loughborough are using powers given to them under the Police Reform Act to tackle motorcyclists who drive dangerously and inconsiderately on roads, parks and public places. The six month campaign is designed to stop young people from driving anti-socially, making a noise and causing a danger to themselves and others. Reports of this type of anti-social behaviour increase during the Spring and Summer months as more people sit in their gardens or visit parks and the nicer weather brings more young people out on their bikes. Under Section 59 of the 2002 Police Reform Act, officers are given powers to stop anyone driving in a manner deemed inconsiderate and careless and warn them that if they are caught doing it again within 12 months their vehicle will be taken away. Once the car or motorbike is removed the owner has to pay £105 to get it back and £12 per day for storage. If it isn't collected within 21 days the owner will lose the vehicle forever. Officers will also be giving out Vehicle Rectification Notices if bikes have been illegally modified i.e. the exhaust has been cut off to make it noisier. Four of Loughborough's nine neighbourhood beats have tackling nuisance motorbikes as a policing priority prompting the police to take action. Those four beats are Sharpley and Garendon, Shepshed and Hathern, Hastings and Meadow Lane and Willowbrook. Sergeant Jamie Osborn said; "We are determined to tackle this type of anti-social driving which is not only dangerous but also causes a disturbance to residents. We are getting reports of young people driving motorbikes and mini motos on local parks which is dangerous to themselves and other park users and we are also getting reports of dangerous driving on roads. We have seized four bikes since the beginning of May. "I would urge parents to make sure that young people know where they can and cannot ride and to make sure they have the proper documentation and insurance. If not, we will take their bikes from them and that will prove very costly. "People should be able to enjoy the summer evenings without the constant revving of bike engines and I would urge bikers to abide by the law or risk losing their prized possession." |
