Several bikes have been seized and warning notices issued as part of a crackdown on illegal and antisocial riding in Darlington and the surrounding area.
Officers from Darlington Neighbourhood Policing Team, with support from Durham Constabulary’s Roads and Armed Policing Unit, carried out the operation over several days, which targeted dangerous vehicles that cause harm to our local communities.
Action included officers patrolling hotspot areas on e-bikes, the use of the drone, and utilising Section 59 warning signs, which allow officers to immediately seize bikes, quads, or other vehicles seen being used antisocially in specific areas of the town.
The results included:
• Honda 125 motorcycle seized after making off from officers on Corporation Road. The bike was found discarded nearby and rider located by roads policing officers. A 15-year-old boy was subsequently arrested on suspicion of riding without a licence and insurance.
• Motorcycle seized from an address in Newton Aycliffe after information was received that it had been seen at an incident in which several vehicles were seen racing in Feethams multistorey car park, in Darlington, on Thursday evening (26th January). The rider had already been issued with a Traffic 183 warning notice in November, meaning that if the bike or rider was involved in further antisocial riding, the bike would be seized. Several other vehicles involved in the incident have also been identified by officers and enquiries are ongoing to locate the owners.
• Traffic 183 warning notice issued to a man using an off-road bike on private farmland off Staindrop Road, near Branksome. The rider claimed the landowner had given him permission to ride there, but checks by officers revealed that no permission had ever been given.
• Ford Fiesta seized after being driven antisocially within a designated Section 59 area at Morton Park.
• Traffic 183 warning notice issued to two vehicles who were seen recently doing doughnuts in Feethams multi-storey car park.
• Traffic 183 warning notice issued to the rider of an electric scooter in Minors Crescent.
Sergeant Paul Vardy, from Darlington Neighbourhood Police Team, said: “We know the frustration that nuisance bikers and drivers cause to our communities, which is why we are working hard to tackle them.
“Through Operation Endurance, we are constantly gathering and monitoring intelligence on these people so that we can take action to disrupt them and bring a stop to their offending.
“If you have any information on nuisance bikers in your area then let us know – we will take action, as this operation has shown.”
Information can be emailed to opendurance@durham.police.uk or reported online via 101 Live Chat www.durham.police.uk/Report-It/101-Live-Chat/101-Live-Chat.aspx
Alternatively, information can be passed on anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, or via their website:
www.crimestoppers-uk.org