Police seize bike from boy, 13, in Walsall and it's due to be crushed following complaints by locals
Three bikes have been seized and three arrests made as police tackle anti-social behaviour and off-ride biking in Walsall.
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Officers took part in a multi-agency operation in neighbourhoods in Walsall to tackle illegal biking and anti-social behaviour in the region.
West Midlands Police's 'Operation Adhesion' took place on Wednesday, and saw neighbourhood officers around Brownhills and Aldridge work together with the Road Harm Prevention Team, Staffordshire Police and Walsall Council.
During the operation, officers focused on areas of Pelsall, Rushall and Bloxwich, where they seized an off-road bike from a 13-year-old boy following complaints raised by residents.
The bike is due to be crushed, and the boy has been referred to the Youth Justice Team.
Another off-road bike was seized and a 28-year-old man was detained for various offences, again, the bike will be destroyed and the man will be summonsed to court at a future date.
A 20-year-old man was also arrested for dangerous driving after being spotted riding at excessive speeds on Fisher Road, Bloxwich.
PC Nicola Harrison, from the problem-solving and priorities team, who organised the operation, said: "We understand the nuisance illegal bikers cause and the impact their actions have on people’s lives and this issue is a priority for us across Walsall Local Policing Area.
"This is why we’re doing all we can to tackle the problem with off-road bikes.
“We’re warning offenders who continue to drive these machines illegally and put the public at risk that they will be caught and their vehicles will be seized.
"Illegal off-road biking is having a serious impact on our local communities and we simply won’t tolerate it.
In the operation, officers used their own specialised off-road motorbikes, which they say allow them to enter and patrol public parks, pathways and wastelands, to track down offenders.
The officer added: “This was another successful operation where we seized three bikes which were being ridden illegally and dangerously and made arrests. By working together with our colleagues from Staffs Police and partners including Walsall Council we can take action against people carrying out anti-social behaviour in this way.
“We have carried out a number of these off-road bike operations this month after listening to the concerns of local people and we will continue to do so over the coming weeks and months. We understand the nuisance they cause to people’s lives and that is why we are doing all we can to tackle the problem."
