South Yorkshire Police team praised over reduction in complaints about off-road bikes

In April, 1,190 calls were made to South Yorkshire Police to report nuisance bikers across the county.

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By June, the figure had dropped to 166.

South Yorkshire Police said a recently expanded off-road bike team has played a huge part in the reduction of complaints from members of the public.

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Daily patrols of hot spot areas are now carried out.

Sergeant Matt Duffy said: “In April, we received 1,190 calls for reports of nuisance off-road bikes.

“This was reduced in June to 166 following amazing work carried out by officers.

“The reduced amount of calls coming into our control room is testament to our communities feeling reassured that we are taking positive, pro-active action.

“Officers worked extremely hard in hot weather for long hours to achieve these results.

“During May and June, they made 11 arrests, one in connection to a family being deliberately driven at by a man on a quad and those involved in large scale crop damage to farmers’ land.”

The team has also recovered 49 vehicles.

A total of 102 warnings have been given to riders and if they are caught causing a nuisance again their bikes will be seized.

Sgt Duffy added: “It is also important that we acknowledge the incidents in which the abilities of the off-road bike team are utilised to help people in difficult situations.

“In addition to arresting offenders, seizing bikes and patrolling, the team have assisted Yorkshire Ambulance Service reach a patient in difficulty in a rural location and helped find a missing person, who would she have not been found quickly, could have died. This is invaluable.

“We are stronger with your help, I urge you to continue to report incidents involving off-road bikes via 101 or the South Yorkshire Police website, to help us identify hot spot areas and offenders.

“We have recently launched an appeals album. Please continue to have a look and see if you can help identify those involved.”