Tackling Nuisance Bikes to Protect the Community

17/11/2006

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) are today (Friday 17 November) launching a new policy in Doncaster designed to tackle the nuisance and danger caused by the anti-social use of vehicles in parks, other open spaces and residential areas.

We have chosen to launch the policy now as many parents and carers may be thinking of buying motorbikes for their children this Christmas but many dont realise just how dangerous and what a problem they cause for the community, and that they could be breaking the law said Sue Steeples, Anti Social Behaviour Specialist for CPS South Yorkshire. 

She adds We have worked closely with our colleagues at South Yorkshire Police, Environmental Health and Doncaster City Council in devising this policy and will continue to work in partnership to monitor its successful use.

From today, if offenders are caught using bikes in a manner causing alarm, distress and annoyance they will be dealt with in accordance with the policy.  For a first offence police will issue a warning notice giving the offender written details of locations where the vehicle can be used legally.  If they offend again the Police will seize the vehicle concerned and the offender will be asked to enter into an acceptable behaviour contract (ABC) designed to prevent a repetition of anti social behaviour.

If an offender is caught for a third time they will be dealt with for offences arising out of the incident.  This means that it could lead to a court appearance and an ASBO being made.  If an offender continues to commit the offence the court will be asked to disqualify them from driving.

This policy is part of wider work that is being done in Doncaster to prevent anti social behaviour. 

Doncaster Council's Cabinet Member for Crime and Public Safety, Cllr Stuart Exelby adds: "I know what a pain illegal bikers are to local people. We have the power to confiscate their machines  - what we need is for people to give us the names and addresses of the riders, details of the bikes and what times  they are being used. Following the introduction of our neighbourhood management approach, we now have Council teams based in neighbourhoods and we want to work with local people and the police to sort this problem out."

Click here to download a copy of the nuisance bike policy.