Police net illegal off-roaders (From Campaign Series)

Police net illegal off-roaders

12:01pm Friday 13th July 2007

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AN INITIATIVE to clamp-down on off-roaders took place on the weekend with sixteen people caught riding illegally.

Those riding illegally in the countryside came under the spotlight in the initiative which saw Gwent Police joining forces with their South Wales policing colleagues as well as partner agencies including Caerphilly County Borough Council's community safety wardens, countryside wardens, forestry commission and environmental health.

The initiative was a bid to curb a problem which can damage the countryside and cause a nuisance to those living nearby. There is also a risk of injury to both those riding the vehicles and passers by.

In Caerphilly County Borough the operation centred on Gelligaer Common which is used by off-roaders, but at the same time other areas in Rhondda Cynon Taff and Merthyr county borough were targeted in an effort to send out a signal that off-roading is off-limits.

In Gwent, officers from Ystrad Mynach, Bargoed and Rhymney sections as well as officers from the off road motorcycle section and the roads policing unit took part.

In total in the Gelligaer Common area during the one day operation: Fourteen section 59 warning notices were issued (written warnings telling people what they are doing is illegal. Anyone who receives two of these notices within 12 months can have their vehicle seized).

Eight bikes were confiscated One person was arrested for disqualified driving Grass fires, which have increased sharply this year in the South Wales Fire and Rescue Service area, and fly-tipping were also addressed.

Environmental health officers from Caerphilly county borough council and officers from South Wales Fire and Rescue were on hand to deal with any problems during the spot-check operation.

Caerphilly County Borough Council's cabinet member for the environment and housing, covering community safety, Cllr David Poole said: "Such anti-social behaviour can cause havoc in the countryside and all these illegal activities can ruin the enjoyment of the countryside and pose a serious risk to wildlife.

Culprits should now know that they are not beyond the long arm of the law. We as a partnership are committed to keeping the heat on such offenders and they should know they run the risk of losing their vehicles should their anti-social behaviour persist."

Sergeant Andy O'Keefe, the neighbourhood police team sergeant for Rhymney who co-ordinated the operation on the Gwent Police side, said: "The overall aim is to address countryside crime issues and illegal off-roading is one aspect that has been raised by many worried local residents. Working together and sharing expertise and intelligence we can effectively tackle these problems that are only too common in the countryside."

The initiative also benefited from the help of the Gelligaer Commoners' Association and the Forestry Commission.

Off-roading has been tackled in previous operations on Gelligaer Common and elsewhere, including Bargoed Common, Wyllie Tip, near Ynysddu and Pontbren in Newbridge, Penyrheol Mountain and the Abervalley.

Section 59 warning notices have been issued, bikes have been seized and crushed and anti-social behaviour referrals made. Signs have also been put up on Caerphilly Common, on top of the mountain, to warn people that illegal off roading will not be tolerated.

Safer Caerphilly County Borough Community Safety is a multi-agency body comprising five main bodies, namely Caerphilly County Borough Council, Gwent Police, Caerphilly Local Health Board, Gwent Police Authority and South Wales Fire and Rescue and other organisations.

It exists to combat crime, anti-social behaviour and the fear of crime and off-roading is one of the areas of anti-social behaviour the partnership tackles.

It is illegal to drive any mechanically propelled vehicle, this includes mini bikes, mini quads, scooters or any off-road motorbike on a public road without insurance, road tax , driving certificate, or MOT certificate, if necessary.

Such vehicles can be driven off-road on a suitable piece of private land with the owner's permission but not on streets, common land, forestry land, playing fields or in parks.

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