THE FIGHT against dangerous and illegal off-road bikes in Solihull has reached a milestone.
Earlier this month West Midlands Police seized more than 50 off-road bikes, ensuring they cannot be used to cause a public nuisance again.
Over the past few months, a series of operations ranging from warrants to all-out action involving regular officers and the specialist off-road bike team have been carried out.
In July 12 warrants were carried out on the same day in Chelmsley Wood which saw nearly a dozen vehicles seized, including dirtbikes and a dune buggy.
The police has joined forced with Solihull Council to take action against people involved in stealing off-road bikes and riding them illegally.
The force said it will investigate any reports we receive and the information we gather helps us build an overall picture of where these bikes are being used as well as the locations where they are stored.
Inspector Andy Bridgewater and his team in the north of the borough have been leading our efforts and have now seized 52 off-road bikes.
He said: “We’re delighted to have gone past 50 off-road bikes seized in Solihull.
“These vehicles and their riders are a constant source of disruption and anti-social behaviour and we know how much the public wants to see us taking action against them.
“The seizures of these bikes and the prosecutions we are securing against their riders will send out a strong message that we won’t tolerate this kind of criminal behaviour, not just in the north of the borough, but across the wider Solihull area.
“We’d ask the public to continue telling us via 101 or Live Chat all the information they have about where these bikes are being ridden and where they might be stored.
“That way we can work with our colleagues across the force as well as local authority partners to keep up the pressure.”
Dangerous and reckless driving of a vehicle in a public space will not be tolerated by West Midlands Police.
Vehicles will be seized and crushed if riders do not follow the law. Offenders can also be arrested, prosecuted, and given a fine.
Anyone with information about such incidents should contact police on 101 or via the force’s live chat on the website or via Solihull Council’s dedicated portal: Illegal off-road bikes.
