Leader of Walsall Council, Councillor Garry Perry, has called upon agencies in Staffordshire in a bid to collectively tackle the use of illegal off-road bikes.
In a letter to Staffordshire Police, the Staffordshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner’s office, and to the Canal & River Trust, Councillor Perry has requested a roundtable discussion to devise a joint operational approach to address the issue.
The letter explains Councillor Perry’s concerns about off-road vehicles, the dangers they pose to the communities they disrupt, and how he believes agencies can work together better to deter the issue.
Three hotspots on the Walsall/Staffordshire border have been identified where activity is particularly prevalent: Lime Lane, Fishley Lane and Engine Lane.
In his letter, Councillor Perry states, “These areas not only present access and enforcement challenges due to their semi-rural nature, but also pose increasing safety risks to residents, pedestrians, and waterway users – including those mooring narrowboats along the adjacent canal networks.”
“The activity in question is both reckless and intimidating, damaging the environment, and significantly impacting the quality of life for local communities and visitors.”
Walsall Council works closely with West Midlands Police coordinating activity to tackle the use of these vehicles, and since the start of the year, have helped to seize over 40 vehicles together.
Whilst some cross-border conversations have taken place, Councillor Perry calls for more to be done. The letter requests for more community assurance and real-time deterrence, cross-boundary intelligence-sharing, support from the Canal & River Trust to manage the risks with canal users, and more to be done to raise awareness with communities about how they can report this illegal activity.
People can report incidents of illegal off-road biking via Live Chat on the West Midlands Police website or by ringing 101. They can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously via telephone on 0800 555111.
Residents are encouraged to sign up to the Community Alert scheme for updates using www.wmnow.co.uk
During the Easter holidays, West Midlands Police neighbourhood teams covering the Walsall borough will be targeting hotspot areas for illegal off-road motorbikes.