Police mock South Yorkshire covidiots after comical off-road bike crashes

South Yorkshire Police’s off-road team said the quad biker attempted to turn a corner sharply on Woodhead Road but “a friendly tree had other ideas.”

They said: “The rider graciously dismounted, taking in the lovely scenery via a stone wall.

“With all flights being cancelled at the minute at least he didn’t have to get air traffic clearance.”

The rider did not suffer serious injuries, with police adding: “When the stars stopped spinning above tweetie pies head he was dealt with for no insurance and licence offences and the quad was seized.”

The bike’s Vehicle Identification Number was also “dodgy”, police said.

In a separate incident in Maltby, Rotherham, a motorcyclist ended up in the river after crashing ”straight over a wall”.

Police quipped: “When this little roadrunner reared his head above the wall it was all bad news.

“No insurance, no plate, no bike licence. The bike was seized and the male dealt with at the roadside.”

South Yorkshire Police has more than doubled the size of its off-road team after seeing an increase in the number of reports of anti-social behaviour involving off-road bikes and quad bikes since the start of lockdown on March 23.

A further seven officers have joined the six-person team on a full-time basis to conduct daily operations and patrols in so-called hotspot areas across South Yorkshire.