Police in south Birmingham have issued images of men suspected of tearing through children’s play parks and dog-walking hotspots on off-road bikes – and warned they will seize scramblers ridden anti-socially.
One man is photographed pulling a wheelie along a footpath in Senneleys Park while others are seen cruising past swings and climbing frames.
Neighbourhood Police officers have heard first-hand accounts from parents and dog walkers who’ve said they no longer feel safe using some parks in the Bartley Green and Quinton areas due to the off-road bike menace.
PC Heidi Kennedy, said: “Worried members of the public have provided the images – and I’m asking if anyone recognises the men or the distinctive orange bike, or has information that could help us, to get in touch so we can take action.
“It is totally unacceptable for people to use local parks for off-road biking: it’s dangerous and a real noise nuisance. The parks should be relaxing, safe areas for people to spend time – they are not race tracks and people’s enjoyment of the parks is being ruined.”
It’s illegal to ride bikes in a manner that might cause alarm or distress to a member of the public, while bikers using public parkland are also committing motoring offences.
PC Kennedy added: “We will look to issue warning notices to offenders – anyone ignoring the warning faces having their bike seized and crushed and a date in court.”
The neighbourhood team has also issued an image of a man illegally riding an off-road bike with no registration plates in Overbury Road, Northfield, on 6 August.
Earlier this month, West Midlands Police blitzed anti-social riders during a day of action that saw 10 off-road bikes seized – including quad bikes, scramblers and mini-moto’s – and arrests made in Birmingham, Wolverhampton and Coventry.
Anyone with information about the bikers is urged to call the Edgbaston Neighbourhood Police Team on the 101 number or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
↧