Home Secretary hears about work to combat off-road bike anti-social behaviour

Ahead of a new law coming into force to tackle off-road bike anti-social behaviour (ASB), the Home Secretary visited Staffordshire to see the proactive work we’re doing in this area.

It was announced on Tuesday (25 February) that new powers will be introduced as part of the Crime and Policing Bill. This includes officers being given stronger powers to seize vehicles involved in anti-social behaviour, with officers no longer required to issue a warning before seizing the vehicles which can bring misery to local communities.

Currently, police must catch these vehicles twice in order to seize them. The new powers will put a stop to this, and help us get these nuisance vehicles off our streets immediately.

Yvette Cooper MP met with Assistant Chief Constable Stuart Ellison, the Staffordshire Commissioner for Police, Fire & Rescue and Crime, Ben Adams, and officers from our road crime team in Stafford on Tuesday 18 February.

During the visit, the Home Secretary heard how we launched Operation Transom, together with Stoke-on-Trent City Council in 2021 as part of our efforts to tackle nuisance off-road motorbikes and this work has seen increased patrols and regular operations in hotspot areas, and bikes being seized that are used to commit ASB.

A National Police Air Service (NPAS) aeroplane and resident tip-offs were among the tactics used to catch riders putting members of the public and themselves at risk. Specially-trained officers on three off-road bikes are also deployed

Assistant Chief Constable Stuart Ellison said: “We welcomed the opportunity to showcase our work tackling off-road bike anti-social behaviour to the Home Secretary. Often the bikes used are involved in several offences and linked to more serious crime.

“The new legislation will allow us to deal more swiftly with the scourge of off-road bikes in public parks. It will also assist us in tackling car meets, which can see hundreds of cars gather in public spaces that often include loud aggressive engine revving and intimidating music.

Staffordshire Commissioner Ben Adams said: “Tackling the anti-social behaviour that can damage our communities is a priority for me as Commissioner. I am continuing to directly support our local community safety partners to address the issue alongside the police, and am looking forward to continuing the emphasis on patrolling ‘hotspot’ areas of Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent to further reduce ASB.

“I am pleased to see the announcement of new police powers to seize off-road bikes and e-scooters driven irresponsibly and dangerously in our parks, open spaces and on pavements, which will help to address another issue of community concern.”