Residents across County Durham have hit out at ‘nuisance’ off-road bikers after young kids have been ‘terrorising’ towns and villages across the region on the vehicles.
Fed-up homeowners in rural County Durham are said to be ‘fed up’ at having to contend with the off-road bikes that are taking over parks, green space, and even people’s gardens, as the police look to tackle the anti-social behaviour.
Since the start of the year, teens have been photographed ‘flying’ through rural locations and on the edge of Durham City – which residents have branded ‘reckless’.
To tackle the issues, Durham Police are now tracking down those responsible for off-road biking, and have reassured communities that they are taking the concerns seriously.
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A spokesperson for the police force said: “We completely understand that the community is fed up with Anti-Social Behaviour and so are we.
“There will be increased patrols in the area from uniformed and non-uniformed officers with support from our motorcycle section and we will not stop until the Anti-Social Behaviour stops.”
They then went on to say: “Please remember it is illegal to use an uninsured motorised vehicle on any public space, public highway, or path. The penalties are the same as using a vehicle on the road with no insurance and no driving licence, when uninsured vehicles are seized, they are crushed.
“Parents if you buy your child a motorcycle and allow them to use it on a road or public space you are guilty of child neglect and could face prosecution and will be reported to social services.
“Please be assured the Neighbourhood Team will do everything in our power to stop Anti-Social Behaviour in our communities and we will not stop until the Anti-Social Behaviour stops.”
Alongside the statement from the police, they have shared images of riders of off-road bikes to crack down on the anti-social behaviour.
Durham Police has also confirmed that several youths have been dealt with in relation to the youths that have been ‘terrorising’ communities.
In the aftermath of the police revealing their plan, members of the public in County Durham have told The Northern Echo, they are at “crisis point” over off-road bikes taking over their parks, roads, and footpaths.
Speaking to The Northern Echo, one resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “This has gone on for too long now – it needs to stop and needs to stop now.
“We can’t put up with this for much longer – we are fed up with those riding off-road bikes each day.”
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