Police stop hundreds to tackle noisy motorbikes

Surrey Police has stopped more than 400 motorcyclists as part of a summer road safety campaign

Hundreds of motorcyclists were stopped by police in Surrey during a summer campaign to tackle noisy and anti-social riders.

Ch Insp Karen Coyne said more than 400 motorcyclists were stopped for issues including speeding and loud exhausts during Operation Downsway.

The annual campaign to combat nuisance riders comes as residents in areas like Mickleham complain that they must shut their windows and cannot sit in their gardens due to the "torture" of noisy motorbikes in the region.

Ms Coyne said: "We appreciate that it is not just motorcyclists, but we want to stop these riders and actually speak to them."

She added: "Officers enjoy doing it because it's a chance for them to be really proactive."

Residents in Mickleham told BBC Radio Surrey that illegal exhausts and revving engines make "an awful amount of noise" and meant they cannot have a conversation in their gardens without being interrupted.

Ms Coyne said that officers aimed to engage with motorcyclists at biker cafés and other known hotspots, as well as during patrols.

In one instance, she said a driver was stopped for having a noisy exhaust and was later found to have no insurance or learner plates. Their bike was seized.

Motorcyclists make up about 1% of road users but account for one in five road deaths in the UK, she added.

In total, Surrey Police stopped 407 motorcyclists and 394 cars as part of the campaign.

Ms Coyne added that the aim was to "educate both sides".

As part of the scheme, officers can issue notices legally requiring riders to repair noisy modified exhausts and can seize vehicles if they receive two warnings for anti-social driving in the space of 12 months.