Off Road Enforcement Team success on new bikes
October 7, 2007
Last weekend Rhondda Cynon Taf’s Off Road Enforcement Team showed the County Borough they would not be stopped from clearing our countryside of illegal off road motorbikes after the theft of their own.
The Off Road Team were joined by two riders from Cardiff Council, two riders from South Wales Police, 20 Police Officers and PCSOs and the Police Helicopter.
Splitting in to two groups, the first group covered Clydach Vale including the nature reserve, old tips, the forest surrounding the area and the Seven Humps above Tonypandy School and the second covered the forest high above Clydach Vale and the mountain side around the Bwlch.
The operation resulted in:
• 4 off road bikes seized under the Road Traffic Act
• 7 people on off road bikes warned under the Police Reform Act
• 1 driver of a 4×4 warned under the Police Reform Act
• 1 young man had bike seized and now faces prosecution in which he could lose his license
Councillor Paul Cannon, Cabinet Member for Communities and Joint Chair of the Community Safety Partnership met the teams on the Bwlch, “I am delighted to see the team out and about despite the thefts of their bikes. I hope it reinforces the message to certain people that we will not be stopped from ridding our countryside, towns and streets of illegal off road motorbikes.
“The team and partners have received great feedback from local walkers and in particular the Llantrisant Ramblers Association who expressed how impressed they were with the difference that has been made.”
Insp Mike Jones added, “I believe that, with the off road team, we are starting to get the message across that irresponsible biking and use of quad bikes will not be tolerated.
“Riders who put themselves and the public at risk, or damage people’s quality of life with anti social behaviour or noise nuisance, will face a fine and could have their bike taken away.
“We will keep targeting problem areas until people understand that we take this matter seriously and are listening to the concerns of the people who live in our communities.”
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