More concerns revealed over scourge of masked bikers on streets of Sheffield
‘We recognise the impact these concerns have on our local residents’
They are a two wheeled scourge of Sheffield - and neighbourhood police officers say they recognise public concerns.
Locals have recently raised concerns over the prevalence of masked bikers in Sheffield, with ward councillors in Manor and Castle recently revealing that they had raised the issue with local policing teams, along with burglary.
Now residents across in other parts of the city have raised similar concerns, with locals telling the Star of concerns now in Parson Cross and Hillsborough as well.
Sheffield South East Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) Inspector Katie Hammond, who is in charge of policing in Manor and Castle, said everyone should be able to feel safe in their homes and out and about in our communities.
She said: “We recognise the impact these concerns have on our local residents.
"Our officers routinely carry out proactive patrols in the Manor and Castle areas to ensure they are visible and ready to respond to reports of crime in the area.
"We also regularly gather intelligence on people riding vehicles, such as off-road bikes, in a dangerous manner, and where possible we will seize these bikes and deal with offenders in the most appropriate manner.
She described how as a neighbourhood policing team, her officers had recently seized seven bikes which were either stolen or being used for anti-social purposes.
She said they had also arrested an 18-year-old man on suspicion of driving offences and theft of a motor vehicle. This was in connection with an incident where a masked man was reported to have stolen a motorbike.
She added: "In Sheffield we have a dedicated neighbourhood crime team which works robustly to tackle domestic burglaries, and we continue to develop and apply dedicated problem orientated policing plans around hotspot areas for burglary."
Couns Elle Dodd and Laura Moynahan, Sheffield Council ward members for Manor and Castle recently said that they had raised the issue with South Yorkshire Police, and that it is an issued that has been raised with them on the streets.
It came after they and a team of volunteers spoke to residents on Manor Park and along Harborough Avenue this weekend, asking about local concerns.
After The Star reported the concerns in Manor and Castle, locals have shared their views on our social media pages.
Paul Taylor said: “I can't help feel that if they weren't masked, they would ride their bikes a bit more sensibly.”
Nichola Sweeting said it was an issue in her area almost every night.
Kelly Lee said she lived on a main road, and said they constantly up and down all day.
John C Bunting agreed it was an issue and described them as very intimidating.