Police need practical support to help end illegal bikes nuisance

The Government’s plans to give police more powers to seize off-road bikes have been welcomed by Hazel Grove constituency MP Lisa Smart, while asking the Government to do more to give police the resources to track down the offenders. 

Lisa Smart challenged the Minister: “In Offerton, in my constituency, illegal off-road bikes are a persistent blight on the community – intimidating residents, creating noise pollution, and endangering public safety. While I welcome efforts to tackle antisocial behaviour, local police tell me the challenge isn’t a lack of powers but rather the need for the evidence and tools to identify and apprehend offenders, who often evade them on these bikes. 

“So, what steps is the government taking to ensure that police forces have the resources, technology, and practical support needed to enforce these new measures effectively and restore peace to communities like mine?”

The MP was already working with GMP on the issue, with residents across the constituency facing constant problems from the antisocial behaviour, putting pressure on for the reintroduction of the police’s off road bikes team earlier this year, and pressing for further changes.

She added: “I’m one of many residents in the area who see these bikes, without licence plates, with riders in balaclavas, speeding around dangerously, and causing havoc. Police struggle to go after them because chases can endanger other road users, and because they escape down paths and across fields where police can’t easily follow.

“The powers to seize bikes are worthless if the police can’t get to them – and that’s what is missing so far from the Government’s proposals.”