Video: CCTV police released of ‘dangerous driving’ on quad-bikes in the city centre in May
Notts Police will crack down on the illegal and anti-social use of off-road motorbikes, quad bikes and other ‘nuisance vehicles’ after launching a new operation.
Operation Incalculability is the latest initiative launched by the force in Ashfield to tackle the dangerous use of vehicles.
Police say other local operations are taking place across the county including the seizure of vehicles with the operation running for a number of months.
Sergeant Carl Holland, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “I go to community meetings and the number one concern currently being raised by residents is nuisance off-road bikes.
“This issue is prevalent during the whole year, however there is a distinct increase with the onset of spring and summer.
“We’ve had about 300 reported incidents of anti-social behaviour across the Ashfield area over the last 12 months associated with the use of off-road bikes and quad bikes.
“On average we get about 40 calls per month during the Summer period; that might not sound a lot for the whole district but these are only calls from people who are willing to call us and report incidents.
“We need more residents to help us clamp down on off-road bikes by reporting incidents to us.
“We understand the frustration that these off-road bikes cause within our community and we will continue our efforts, in partnership with landowners, to crack down on this anti-social behaviour.”
On Sunday (August 6), the operation targeted numerous locations including the Annesley Woods area where officers issued a Section 59 Order to a rider and disrupted the activity of other riders who sped off towards Hucknall.
A Section 59 Order is an order to leave an area which could lead to an arrest if breached after using vehicles in a manner causing annoyance, distress or alarm.
Enquiries are underway after officers spotted two quad bikes in the Forest Road area of Skegby that had been doing ‘doughnuts’ – he riders made off but a dangerous driving investigation is being progressed.
The operation also targeted the Export Drive area in Huthwaite where a 13-year-old boy was stopped with his father on a small bike.
A community protection warning will be issued to the father.
Nottinghamshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner Paddy Tipping said: “These bikes are not just a noisy nuisance, they can also pose a very real threat of danger to any member of the public in the vicinity and indeed the riders themselves.
“This crackdown is really welcomed as I know how much concern irresponsible use of such bikes causes to the communities affected by them.
“The operation sends a clear message that this type of behaviour will not be overlooked.
“I hope that members of the public will support the police by giving them information about off-road bike usage as it really makes a difference.”
