www.west-midlands.police.uk

The police, council, housing providers andother agencies have six flexible powers underthis Act to provide better protection for victimsand communities. These powers are civilinjunctions, criminal behaviour orders,community protection notices, public spaceprotection orders, closure powers and dispersalorders. The measures taken depend on theissue.

The Community Trigger and CommunityRemedy sit alongside these measures toempower victims and communities, giving thema greater say in how agencies respond tocomplaints of anti-social behaviour. Find outmore about how the trigger can be used at www.west-midlands.police.uk

Police Reform Act 2002Where a motor vehicle is used in a careless,inconsiderate manner or is ridden off roadcausing or likely to cause alarm, distress orannoyance to any member of the public, policehave powers to stop the rider/driver.

If following a warning the person continues tooffend, police can seize and remove the vehicle.A police officer can also enter any premiseswith force if necessary to exercise thesepowers. MOTORBIKES

OFF ROAD

ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR,SAFETY AND THE LAW

The ASB, Crime andPolicing Act 2014

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Riding off roadmotorbikes can be apopular pastime.However, thesevehicles can also beused in a dangerous,noisy and anti-socialway, generating lots ofcomplaints to police.

This can result inprosecution for the rider and in some cases the parents,who are held accountable for the actions of their children.

It is illegal to ride any motorbike in public openspaces such as parks, play areas and onpavements.

West Midlands Police regularly receives complaintsconcerning the anti-social use of off road motorbikes.Ambulance crews are regularly called out to children andyoung adults who have sustained serious injuries as aresult of using these bikes illegally and without wearingany protective clothing or a helmet.

Don’t let your child be the next casualty. Make sure offroad motorbikes are used safely and legally.

To reduce the harm to individuals and communities,police operations are carried out in your area with illegallyused off road motorbikes being seized and crushed.

You can only ride an off road motorbike legally if itis on private land and you have the land owner’spermission. Land owned by the local council is notclassed as private land.

Not everyone using off road motorbikes does so illegallyand there are a number of specialist sites where they canbe ridden legally.

In law, off road motorbikesare regarded as motorvehicles which must beconstructed to a specificstandard in order to beridden on a public highway.Most off road motorbikes donot meet this standard. Visitthe Department forTransport’s websitewww.dft.gov.uk for moreinformation.

In addition to meetingconstruction requirements,off road motorbikes alsoneed the following if they areto be used on a publichighway:• DVLA registration (log book)• Road tax• A valid MOT• Fitted with lights• Fitted with registrationplates• Type approval

The rider must also:• Be aged 17 or over (or 16 ifthe vehicle meets thedefinition of a moped)• Hold a valid driving licence• Have valid motor insurance• Wear suitable safetyequipment (e.g. amotorbike helmet)

If the above conditions arenot met, it is illegal to ride anoff road motorbike on theroad.

If you own or ride one ofthese vehicles it is yourresponsibility to know thelaw.

Failure to comply is a criminaloffence and may result inprosecution under the RoadTraffic Act 1988 and PoliceReform Act 2002.

Anti-social behaviour (ASB) and off road motorbikes

What does the law say?

How can local communities help?

Are off road motorbikescausing a nuisance inyour neighbourhood? Doyou have any informationabout the use of thesevehicles, where they’rebeing ridden and who by?Call your local police on101.

If you want to provideinformation anonymously,contact the independentcrime-fighting charityCrimestoppers on0800 555 111.

Information that can helppolice may include:• The name and addressof the owner of the offroad motorbike• Where the bike is stored • When and where thebike is being used (e.g.days, times and routes)• Any other usefulinformation such as adescription of thosewho use the bike and itsmake/model/colour

Gathering evidenceTalk to the police officer orcouncil anti-social behaviourofficer handling your complaintbefore taking any photographsor filming people, places orvehicles you suspect arecausing a nuisance in yourneighbourhood. Also consider:• Your recording device may beseized as evidence – thisincludes mobile phones.• People can get the wrong ideaabout what you’re filming andwhy, potentially leading to avolatile situation.• Legal restrictions are placedon photographs or videofootage of children 16 andunder which are defined bylaw as indecent. • Private spaces, such as thehome, are also protected andthis could result in an invasionof privacy if ignored.• Evidence from people whohave seen or experiencedanti-social behaviour first-hand is more compelling incourt than photo or videoevidence.