Wakefield District Off-Road Bike Team Report 2025

Dear Resident,

The Wakefield District Off-Road Bike Team has delivered its most successful year to date, achieving record-breaking results in tackling nuisance and illegal motorbike activity across the district.  

In 2025, the team adopting an intelligence-led approach, focusing on targeted patrols and operations rather than reactive responses.  

By concentrating these dedicated resources on known hotspots and individuals, the team have significantly disrupted illegal riding and improved community safety. 

Key achievements include:  

1,508 reports - a 24 per cent reduction compared to 2024.  
162 vehicles seized or recovered - a 32 per cent increase and the highest in the last 10 years.  
269 Section 59 warning notices issued - a 19 per cent increase, also a 10-year record.  
269 tickets issued - a 16 per cent increase, the second highest in a decade.  
51 individuals reported to court - a 27 per cent increase, the second highest in 10 years.  

PC Craig Steel a member of the four-strong team said: “Thanks to proactive patrols and strong community intelligence we have seen a noticeable reduction in reports of nuisance bikes in areas across the district where historically we receive a high number of reports.”  

These areas include Welbeck Tip in Normanton and Wrenthorpe Park.  

PC Steel added: “These results demonstrate the effectiveness of intelligence-led policing. By focusing on known offenders and problem areas, we’ve not only increased enforcement but also sent a clear message that illegal and dangerous riding will not be tolerated.”  

Chief Inspector Emma Hooks, who leads on community policing and partnerships in Wakefield, said: “The district off-road motorbike team’s efforts have resulted in the highest number of seizures and warning notices in over a decade, this is to be commended and contributes to a safer environment for residents and communities.  The reduction in calls for service highlights the long-term impact of these strategies and is something we remain committed to maintaining in 2026.”  

These impressive results have also been achieved as a result of the support provided to the team by VICO Homes and our joint resolve to target anti-social behaviour and wider criminality as a partnership. 

You can report nuisance and illegal bike activity via our online reporting form: Report nuisance bikes / quad bikes / off roaders | West Yorkshire Police All reports are taken seriously and acted upon where credible information is supplied.