Man detained and off-road bike seized in Stourport operation

Foot and vehicle patrols were carried out in Stourport today (Wednesday 27 August) in response to community concerns around illegal e-bikes and off-road bikes.

Officers from Stourport Safer Neighbourhood Team, supported by Wyre Forest colleagues, our Operational Policing Unit (OPU) and Task Force, patrolled the town centre and the Walshes estate looking for those illegally riding e-bikes.

They have been out and about looking to clamp down on people breaking the law on the bikes and gathering intelligence around those committing offences.

During their morning tour, a call came in from a member of the public reporting a young male doing laps of Memorial Park on a suspected off-road bike, saying he was also revving his engine behind a lady there. A group of children were also playing a football match in the park at the time.

Officers attended and approached the man from different sides of the park to apprehend him while he was sat on his stationary vehicle. He was successfully detained despite his attempts to flee the scene.

An 18-year-old man had his ‘pit bike’ off-roader seized, and he was given a TOR (Traffic Offence Report) for no insurance and driving other than in accordance with his driving licence.

He was also given a section 59 notice regards the anti-social manner of his riding and dealt with for a small amount of cannabis found on his person.

A Section 59 notice, under the Police Reform Act 2002, allows police to issue warnings and seize vehicles used in a manner causing alarm, distress, or annoyance to the public.

Police Sergeant Matt Ling of Stourport SNT said: “Today we have been out on one of our regular patrols to clamp down on the illegal use of e-bikes and off-road bikes in Stourport, responding to community concerns around the issue.

“We were pleased to be able to swiftly detain an 18-year-old man who was reported as riding around Memorial Park on an illegal off-road ‘pit bike’ thanks to a call from a member of the public and some good teamwork by officers.

“We will continue with these patrols as we work together with our communities to try and prevent those using e-bikes and off-road bikes illegally and in an antisocial manner.

“And we would encourage members of the public to keep reporting any sightings or issues to us so we can act on this information to keep everyone safe.”