THURROCK Council, in partnership with Essex Police, has made another pledge to crack down on nuisance bike riders in the borough.

The problem or rogue riders on quad bikes, scramblers and scooters is a long-running one in the borough, with problems reported right across the region from organised scrambling events to nuisance riders on parks and footpaths who have been involved with accidents where people, including schoolchildren, have been hit.

The Woodview area of Grays [L[https://thurrock.nub.news/n/residents-bemoan-lack-of-action-as-rogue-riders-continue-to-plague-estate-and-school-access [L+]is a particularly notorious spot [.L]where residents have raised many complaints.

One of the most serious incidents took place in Little Thurrock last December.

At the time that prompted local ward councillor Joy Redsell to say: ""We have had so much trouble with motorbikes in this area. To be fair the police have been active on this and I think they have already taken and scrapped about 15 bikes but the problem is a big one and we need to do more about it.

"We have asked the police and crime commissioner's office to look at this and see what more can be done in this area to stop this problem. I will be meeting with police and council officers tomorrow (Thursday, 10 December) to see what more can be done about this."

And in January this year Thurrock's then police commander Chief Inspector Richard Melton (who has since moved on and was replaced by Chief Inspector Mark Barber in June) conceded that anti-social behavior in some areas of the borough was running out of control – with problems with illegal motorbikes a particular problem in areas including Chadwell St Mary, Tilbury and South Ockendon.

Ten months on - and more than a year after a previous clampdown announcement under 'Operation Caesar' - the council and police say they are stepping up their efforts to mitigate the problems.

advertisement

A report at next week's cleaner greener safer overview and scrutiny committee, which meets on Thursday (7 October) will hear that about the latest plans.

A statement from the council in advance of the meeting says: "Joint working will see a crackdown which tackles all aspects of this highly disruptive and dangerous form of anti-social behaviour.

"Working together and sharing intelligence the two organisations have targeted resources at known trouble-spots to prevent quad and motor bikers gaining access to public land and ensure patrols take place in areas that have the greatest impact."

Council leader Cllr Rob Gledhill, says: "We have already carried out successful joint operations to seize motorcycles and quad bikes which were illegally stored in council garages without permission as well as targeting organised illegal events.

"We will now build on that through the development of a pilot which will hopefully see police officers and the council using various tactics to build up evidence as well as take direct action to stop this antisocial and dangerous activity. It is early days and a business case is being made, but this demonstrates both organisations' commitment to tackling this issue.

"Residents will have a key role to play in this. By reporting incidences they help us to target our resources at the areas where we know they will have the greatest impact in helping to crack-down on this issue which negatively affects many of our residents. The best way to report these issues is by calling 101 or using Essex Police's Digital 101 service to report online."

And Ch Insp Barber adds: "We welcome opportunities allowing us to work with all our partners and Thurrock Council - tackling issues as one team reaps rewards not just for us, but for our residents.

"We have already seen a reduction in incidents of nuisance vehicles, but we will continue to focus our efforts to drive down and reduce anti-social behaviour even more."

advertisement