BARNSLEY officers were out at the weekend working with the South Yorkshire Police Off Road Bike Team responding to reports of nuisance off-road bikes in the area.
Barnsley North Neighbourhood Policing Team were on Laithes Lane fields and the surrounding area in Athersley on Saturday.
Throughout the afternoon one motorcycle and one quad were seized by police and both drivers dealt with for driving offences.
A police spokesperson said: “While quad bikes, three-wheeled bikes, trail bikes and some other two-wheeled vehicles are built for off-road use, it is against the law to ride them in public parks or on publicly-owned land without permission from the local authority. As with unlicensed powered vehicles, these can only be used on private roads or land with the road or land-owner’s permission.
“Some people regard this kind of vehicle use as harmless fun. However, regular antisocial vehicle use can have a wider impact on a neighbourhood or community than simply nuisance noise.
“The effect of dangerous or reckless use of a vehicle can lead to criminal damage of roads, other vehicles and surrounding property. Drivers and riders also risk injuring themselves, other road users, cyclists and pedestrians as they do not have full control of their vehicle and their full attention on their surroundings. It also poses a risk and disturbance to wildlife.”
Police added that driving or riding in this way can also be used as a form of intimidation, either to other road users or the community and that loud noise from engines and music, and deliberately creating large amounts of exhaust or tyre smoke can also be seen as an aggressive act.
“Finally, the use of motorbikes and mopeds to rob (or ‘snatch') mobile phones and valuables from pedestrians on pavements is a key concern to the police. So anyone acting recklessly on this kind of vehicle is likely to draw police attention.
“If you know the people involved we would advise you not to take the law into your own hands by intervening, such as turning off their music, making physical threats or attempting to confiscate items. You may make the situation worse and even risk committing an offence yourself. Instead talk to us.”
You can report nuisance vehicles including bikes, mopeds by clicking on the police link: https://orlo.uk/PI4fS
