Illegal off-road bike reports rise by 60% - police

Those on the bikes show a complete disregard for public safety, police said (library image)

There has been almost a 60% rise in reports from the public about people using illegal off-road bikes in Telford in the past 18 months, latest figures show.

West Mercia Police has described the rise, also involving quad bikes, as drastic and said it was taking action in areas like Brookside, Ketley and Madeley.

Offenders risked court action or eviction if convicted, the force said.

Police are working with housing associations and Telford and Wrekin Council to tackle the problem.

It is illegal to ride any motorbike in public open spaces such as parks and on pavements.

The force said those on the bikes showed a complete disregard for public safety.

Insp Rich Jones said: "They are not road legal as they don't go through the MOT, they're not insured, They are not designed to for the purposes of being on the roads."

He said between 50 to 60% of calls to the force about antisocial behaviour related to use of off-road motorbikes or quad bikes.

People have reported having to jump out of the way on the Brookside estate because bikes were coming towards them, he said, dog walkers have also contacted police with some people afraid to go out in case they encountered the bikes.

"A lot of the riders are being quite abusive to members of the public if they are saying something to them, so they then fear of their safety from that person on the bike," he added.

Parks have been damaged from tyres ripping up the turf and the bikes were also quite cheap to purchase, making them easy to obtain, he said.

But working with housing associations has meant that if caught, offenders or their parents could be sent a warning notice about losing their tenancy depending on how many times they were caught, Insp Jones said.

"So for a bit of fun on a bike, they may lose the roof over their head," he said.