Targeted action by Kirklees Council and West Yorkshire Police designed to put the the brakes on nuisance motorbikes

Safer Kirklees will be running multiple days of action in the first half of August in areas that have experienced high-levels of nuisance motorbikes and quadbikes.

The days of action will see the Safer Kirklees Partnership engage with residents about how to recognise and report the use of illegal off-road bikes which are being driven recklessly and causing a nuisance. Local petrol stations will be visited as part of the days of action to inform staff about how to spot the signs of someone who may be involved in this activity.

Councillor Carole Pattison, Cabinet Member for Learning, Aspiration and Communities, said: “Throughout previous summer months we have seen an increase in the number of nuisance bikes across Kirklees and that is why we are working in collaboration with West Yorkshire Police to address the issue. Nuisance bikes don’t only cause high-levels of noise pollution but they can be intimidating for local communities and when driven irresponsibly they pose a great risk for our residents, other road users and the rider.

“If nuisance bikes are causing problems in your local community then please report them online to West Yorkshire Police, antisocial behaviour should not, and will not, be tolerated in Kirklees.”

Sergeant Rebecca Calpin, Kirklees District of West Yorkshire Police, said: “People who ride off road bikes both illegally and antisocially put both themselves and others at real risk of harm.

“We are pleased to be working with Safer Kirklees as part of this two day operation which supports ongoing activity by our officers to track down offenders and take bikes which are being used illegally out of our communities.

“I want to thank residents who have been reporting these incident to us and would encourage anyone who sees or has information about illegal off road riding to get in touch. Please also pass on any CCTV clips or images you may have.

“Knowing where the problems are helps us to target our patrols to try and catch these people in the act and take action against them.

“Reports can be made directly to Kirklees Neighbourhood Policing Teams via 101 or online at www.westyorkshire.police.uk/101livechat.”

Safer Kirklees is the name of the Community Safety Partnership in Kirklees which brings together organisations such Kirklees Council, West Yorkshire Police, West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service and Kirklees Neighbourhood Housing.

In June 2020, West Yorkshire Police seized nuisance bikes in Kirklees and issued Section 59 Penalty Notices.