ASB - Off-road bikes - Horndean

Anti-social behaviour involving vehicles is wide ranging and encompasses the following; off-road bike misuse; illegal motorbike and car racing; noisy and dangerous motorbike use; and aggressive or inconsiderate driving. These type of incidents occur all over, both on the road and off roads.

Over the last few weeks Horndean residents have raised further concerns regarding illegal use of off road bikes being ridden around recklessly near to local schools. These include Horndean Technology College, Horndean Infant and Junior schools. Some other key road names highlighted are Bowes-Lyon Court, Queens Crescent and Five Heads Road.

A couple of key issues associated with off-road bike related ASB:

Risk to other road users such as pedestrians and drivers; Disruptive and persistent noise disturbances.

Often riders will mount pavements and use alleyways to evade police putting themselves and others at risk. If these individuals are identified then they will be dealt with robustly as they have no disregard for the safety of others.

Legislation in summary:

Off-road bikes can be used on private land, with the landowner’s permission. The Road Traffic Act 1988 includes provisions that make it illegal to drive a mechanically propelled vehicle on land where permission has not been given. The Road Traffic Act 1988 (section 34) states that:
It is illegal to drive or ride a mechanically propelled vehicle without lawful authority on common land, moorland or land not forming part of a road, or on any road which is a footpath, bridleway or restricted byway.
It should be noted that unsurfaced unclassified roads (often known as green roads or green lanes) and byways open to all traffic (BOATs) are roads, so riders would need to have a driving licence and insurance, and the quad bike must be taxed and registered (as per the Road Traffic Act). To ride on public land (e.g. parks) riders would need the local authority’s permission.

The police have the power under section 59 of the Police Reform Act 2002 to seize vehicles, including off-road bikes, being driven illegally, or used in an antisocial manner.

I know that there will be some individuals out there that will provide negative comments to this post and you are entitled to your opinion. But the simple answer is off-road bikes must meet specific construction standards to be used legally on public roads and the riders are required to have a driving licence, insurance and the vehicle must be registered and taxed.

If you wish  to report anti-social behaviour to police the please call 101 or report online using the following link: https://www.hampshire.police.uk/ro/report/asb/asb-v3/report-antisocial-behaviour/

If you wish to report an emergency then call 999

Alternatively if you wish to remain anonymous then you can report to crimestoppers via 0800 555 111 or go online at: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/ 

#ButserNPT
#PCSOHook