Four men and a teenager will appear in court tomorrow (Wed 28 Sept) charged with causing a public nuisance on off-road bikes − part of a force-wide West Midlands Police operation tackling anti-social biking.
Mark Mottram (22) from Bicknell Croft, Druids Heath; Jerome Pencheon (20) from Arrowfield Green, Kings Norton; John Shorthouse (20) from Greenford Road, Warstock; Alex Day (18) from Yardley Wood Road, Yardley Wood; and a 17-year-old male youth from Kings Heath will appear at Birmingham Magistrates Court.
The charges were brought following complaints by members of the public that off-road bikes, scramblers and quad bikes were running amok in the Yardley Wood and Billesley area.
In response, a series of warrants were conducted across June and several bikes seized.
Birmingham South Police Sergeant, Steve Parkes, said: “We’ve received numerous complaints from local residents that bike riders are frightening and intimidating people, including young children, in public spaces and parks by riding dangerously and also pulling wheelies on the roads. This not only causes danger to themselves, but also to other road users.
“We are still keen to hear from anyone who has not yet spoken to us, who may have witnessed off-road bikes causing nuisance in the Yardley and Billesley between 1 January and the 30 June to get in touch.
“The noise from these bikes is also unacceptable at a time of year when people want to enjoy parkland and their gardens.
“We hope that these charges show we have listened to people’s concerns and are determined to tackle the problem. We need the public’s help so I’d urge people to report any examples of nuisance biking so we can track down those who make other’s lives a misery. Even if you don’t call us every time, keep a record of dates, times and descriptions."
West Midlands Police can be called on 101 or information can be given anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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