Tackling Nusiance Bikes In Bangor

Patrols have been increased on a Bangor housing estate due to complaints about motorbikes being ridden irresponsibly. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Over recent weeks North Wales Police have had an increase in calls regarding off road bikes in the Maesgeirchen area and officers are working closely with housing association Cartrefi Cymunedol Gwynedd, Gwynedd County Council and community leaders to identify those responsible. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

PCSO Michael Sambrook from the Safer Neighbourhood Team said: “We have increased patrols in the area to deter and detect further offences relating to the illegal use of motorcycles. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“It is illegal to ride a motor vehicle – be it a motorbike, quadbike, scrambler, mini moto etc on the public highway without insurance – this covers streets, roads, pavements, footpaths and adopted walkways. The only place where off-road vehicles can be lawfully ridden is private land with the direct permission of the land owner or at an organised and supervised off-road centre. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“Breaking the law can have serious consequences – you can not only run teh risk of seriously injuring yourself or others, but you also risk having your vehicle seized and receiving a heavy fine.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Police have the power to seize bikes and cars which are used in a way which causes harassment, alarm or distress. A warning is given first but if that fails to be effective and the vehicle is used in an anti-social manner again, it will be seized under Section 59 of the Police Reform Act. Vehicles can also be seized if the rider is not insured or has no road tax. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

PCSO Sambrook added: “We would like to thank members of the community who have already contacted us regarding these issues. We are also urging anybody who witnesses the illegal use of motorcycles or quad bikes in the area to contact us. Please try to include as much detail as possible to assist us and the local authority to take appropriate action.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Geraint Jones, Neighbourhood Service Manager, Cartrefi Cymunedol Gwynedd said: We are proud of our relationship with North Wales Police when it comes to tackling anti-social behaviour, and we do all that we can to support their investigations. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“Tenants who are convicted for a criminal offence, could face further civil action from CCG in respect of their tenancy. In some cases, there may not even be a conviction, as we can act upon evidence if the behaviour causes nuisance.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​