Cornelly Clampdown on off road bikes over Christmas
Three off road bikes were confiscated and 6 warnings were issued over a period of two days in a clampdown on the problem of off road biking in Cornelly and the Kenfig Nature Reserve.
In an immediate response to the Priority of off road biking raised by the members of Cornelly Pact in December, Officers took action to apprehend any illegal bike users and to issue advice to those contemplating the purchase of an off road bike.
Pyle Neighbourhood Policing Team saw an increase in calls over the festive period relating to disturbances from off road bikes.
The calls resulted in the warnings and confiscated bikes and the public are encouraged to report any further incidents. The concerns lie not only with causing alarm or distress to the public and local residents, but also as a very serious concern for personal safety.
PC Neville Evans of Pyle Neighbourhood Policing Team stated that he hopes that members of the public will be encouraged to report any incidents relating to off road bikes due to the successful action taken over the Christmas period, which inevitably was the result of the concerns raised in the Cornelly PACT meeting.
Every year throughout the country children lose their lives or suffer serious injury because of the improper use of off road bikes. Government advice in fact is that children riding mini motorbikes should be closely supervised by an adult as there is significant risk of fatal or serious injury.
Members of the public are encouraged to report any incidents of off road biking to the police. If you live in the Cornelly area and wish to speak to your Pyle Neighbourhood officer about this issue please contact PC Neville Evans direct on 07805 301445. In an emergency please dial 999.
The next Cornelly PACT meeting will be held on the 5th Feb at 6.30pm at CornellyPrimary School.
LEGAL REQUIREMENTS FOR OFF ROAD BIKES:
- They can't be used on public roads unless suitably roadworthy, taxed, insured and registered with a licensed rider.
- Approved crash helmets should be worn unless the rider is exempted.
- Bikes can't be used on a public footpath.
- They should not be used in a way that causes alarm, distress or annoyance to members of the public.
If those riding the bikes are found to be doing so without complying with these requirements and re doing so inappropriately then the police have powers to confiscate and possibly scrap the bike.