Police are not putting the brakes on a drive against anti-social behaviour, including dangerous off and on-road biking.
More than 30 motorcycles were seized and 23 arrests were made as the Northumbria force said “there is nowhere to hide” for those who take part in anti-social behaviour (ASB).
A multi-agency programme of activities was staged as part of Anti-Social Behaviour Awareness Week earlier this month, focussing on key issues in the community.
It included policing patrols, stop-and-search activities, community engagement and proactive arrest warrants.
Officers were supported by council housing, licensing and trading standards teams on visits to issue warnings at properties linked to reports of ASB.
Neighbourhood Policing teams increased their visibility through proactive patrols of areas such as parks, green spaces and town centres which have been linked to reports of ASB.
They also joined forces with the Operation Coastwatch team to provide support in dealing with disorder and nuisance behaviour at seaside locations during busier periods.
Over the course of the week of activity more than 20 people were arrested for offences ranging from serious assault to dangerous driving.
A variety of tactics were also deployed to target illegal bike riders, with support from drone specialists, local councils and Northumbria Police’s dedicated road safety and motorcycle teams
The force’s ‘Trojan Bus’ was also rolled out to catch illegal riders off-guard.
It led to 34 motorcycles, e-bikes and scooters being seized, including one pedal bike which was found to have been converted into an e-bike capable of reaching speeds up to 72mph.
Police officers, the fire service and council also attended schools to give educational talks on anti-social behaviour, the illegal use of motorcycles and fire safety.
Several dispersal were issued in various locations, providing police and Police Community Support Officers (PSCO) with the power to exclude individuals from a designated area to prevent crime, disorder, or public harassment.
Chief Superintendent Darren Adams, of Northumbria Police, said: “Anti-social behaviour has no place in our communities and we will continue to show zero tolerance to this issue.
“We recognise this is a key issue for our businesses and residents and we are listening.
“We’re employing every tactic available to us to bring this behaviour to an abrupt stop.
“Whether it takes eyes in the sky or boots on the ground, there is nowhere to hide for people who continue to flout the rules and act in an anti-social manner.
“We will find and arrest those responsible and bring them to justice.”
Chief Supt Adams continued: “It’s also key that we make youngsters aware of the dangers they pose to themselves and others if they were to decide to take part in anti-social behaviour.
“Motorcycle anti-social behaviour is especially dangerous and can result in people getting seriously injured, as we have sadly seen across our force area.
“I would also like to request that people in our communities continue to report any suspicious activity from their area to us.
“This information can often prove extremely valuable in our quest to bringing offenders to a stop.
“Please reach out to us online if you have any information which you think we need to be aware of and we can then look to take the appropriate action.”
Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner Susan Dungworth said the week of activities delivered some “really positive results” this month.
She said it was good to promote action like Operation Capio, against anti-social motorcycling, and Operation Coastwatch, initiatives which are taking place all year round to tackle anti-social behaviour, helping to create safer streets and stronger communities.
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Reporting incidents of concern or suspicious activity can be done by sending the force a direct message on social media or by using the ‘report’ forms or ‘live chat’ function on its website.
Anyone unable to use those methods should, simply, call 101.
But, in an emergency, or if a crime is taking place, the advice is to always call 999.
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