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Buckland update and two-wheeled problems

In response to residents concerns Kent Police and Dover District Council held a community event in Buckland this month. With the assistance of local residents and some very enthusiastic kids over 30 bags of rubbish were collected, leaving the Sheridan road shops looking vastly improved. Council officers have also collected evidence relating to suspected fly tipping around this area and prosecutions will be sought when suspects are identified. 

 

CSU officers have carried out arrests for drug offences and also issued over £1,000 in fines to illegal motorbike riders - giving points on driving licences and seized several vehicles in Buckland alone. This has, according to feedback from some residents, already caused a visible reduction in the amount of off-road nuisance bikes that are seen in the area. 

 

The two-wheeled issue…

Problem motorbikes has been a persistent issue in Buckland for many years. Some may believe that these bikes are just young people having fun, but we are receiving reports of extremely dangerous riding down public footpaths, past schools and around children's play areas as well as the noise disturbance from those selfish enough to be revving the engines outside your homes when many of you are trying to settle your kids for the night or have a peaceful evening.  

 

We have already had several near fatal incidents in Kent this year due to this kind of riding which is why we make no apology to keep targeting them using every power we have until it stops. 

 

Legal? 

The only place a mechanically propelled vehicle can ride without insurance/licence is on private land. This is any electric motorbike, but also includes E-scooters for which there is currently no valid insurance certificate available in the UK.  Some electric assisted pedal bikes are legal, but when they are adapted over a certain speed or have a throttle then they effectively become a motorbike and will be dealt with in the same way. 

 

How can you help? 

If you are aware of someone riding like this - then it's time to have a proper chat with them. 

 

They should know that if caught:  

  • The bike will be seized and likely crushed (no, you don't get the cost of it back), 
  • Even if the person stopped has no licence - fines and points will still be issued.  
  • These points sit on what is known as a “ghost licence” meaning that if a licence is then applied for it will be denied, as they will already be exceeding the maximum six points allowed for a new driver. These points will last for around three years. So, a 17-year-old looking to pass a test will then have to wait until they are in their twenties before they can even start the process.  This really damages future career prospects. 
  • It get's expensive - they lose the bike or face recovery fees,  the minimum fines start at around £400 but can be over £1000 in certain circumstances and when they do try to insure a vehicle in the future they will find the costs higher due to previous prosecutions.

  • If any of these vehicles cause an injury or worse then the driver will face jail for causing death or injury by dangerous/careless driving. The simplest example, would be if one of their mates fell off the back of a bike while not wearing a helmet, hitting their head. As the driver, they are responsible. 

     

    • Want to help? 

  • We want to know where these bikes are kept 
  • We want your CCTV and mobile phone footage of them riding them. 
  • Call 999 if they are actively riding, 101 or the Kent police website if you want to update us. 
  • We need names, addresses, times, locations and descriptions. 
  • We can send you a link to upload any footage and we will then target every single person you tell us about. 

    • For further information follow the link: Road safety | Kent Police

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    Message Sent By
    Andrew GRAY
    (Police, PC, Dover Neighbourhood Beat officer)
    Neighbourhood Alert