'Someone could be killed’: New crackdown on off-road bikers

Police and council bosses in Sandwell are planning to use car cruising laws to help rid streets and public areas of bikers.

The High Court order looks to stop those riding motorbikes in public open spaces such as parks and play areas.

It came after shocking footage emerged of bikers pulling wheelies, weaving along bus lanes and riding through red lights on one of the Midlands' busiest routes.

Riders pulled off the dangerous moves on the A34 Birmingham Road, in Great Barr, near the M6 junction in footage posted online.

Councillor Elaine Costigan, Sandwell Council's cabinet member for public health and protection, said: "We are really worried that someone is going to get killed if people continue to ride motorbikes over our public open spaces. This behaviour must stop before that happens.

"People's safety is our top priority and we also know these bikes are causing a great nuisance in our communities.

"Our CCTV team is passing to the police all images of people caught on camera using motorbikes in an anti-social manner.

"People committing anti-social behaviour also face action for a breach of their council tenancy agreements, which may result in them losing their home.

"I'd like to thank the police for attending a meeting to address these issues and also council officers who are working with police to tackle the problem."

The order applies where there are two or more vehicles involved in speeding, racing and performing stunts, causing problems such as risk of injury and damage, noise and nuisance to others.

Promoting, publicising and organising rallies on public land involving vehicles is also banned under the order.

People riding motorbikes illegally face arrest and having their bikes seized, although motorbikes can be ridden on private land if the rider has the land owner's permission.

Any breach of the order can lead to a maximum sentence of two years imprisonment, seizure of assets or a fine.

Footage from council-monitored CCTV cameras is helping police track down people involved in anti-social behaviour, so motorbikes can be seized and perpetrators taken to court.

Sergeant Kym Jones, from Sandwell Police, said: "We are very concerned about the rise in the anti-social use of off-road motorbikes across the West Midlands, including here in Sandwell. It's not just the noise they make but also the dangers of riding them.

"Ambulances and police are regularly called out to children and young adults who have sustained serious injuries from riding these bikes illegally and without wearing any protective clothing or a helmet.

"Please help keep your communities safe over the summer by reporting these dangerous anti-social problems to the police via Crimestoppers 0800 555 111."