New camera to tackle off-road biking in Barnsley after “unprecedented” resident complaints

Barnsley Council’s south area team agreed to spend £2,500 on a wide lens, long range camera, SD card and carry bag at their meting on May 4.

The camera would be used by the police and the council’s community safety team in Darfield, Wombwell, Hoyland Milton and Rockingham – which have all seen “an increase in reporting locally of off-road bikes across the area and continues to be raised as an issue.”

The camera will be used to gather evidence of off-road bikes, hopefully leading to more bikes being seized.

Councillor Pauline Markham told the meeting that the issue of off-road biking has been “absolutely horrendous.”

Councillor Chris Lamb, cabinet spokesperson for environment and transportation told the meeting that every ward in the south area has been “blighted” by the problem, and that the number of complaints from residents has been “unprecedented” this year.