REPORT OFF-ROAD BIKE NUISANCE ON-LINE

In response to growing concerns about the increasing problem of off-road bike nuisance, the Greater Manchester Police Authority (GMPA), the governing body for Greater Manchester Police, has launched an on-line reporting facility on a specially created website dedicated to the problem.

Residents can click on www.stopoffroadnuisance.co.uk and complete a simple report form on-line. Members of the public are also invited to name and shame riders that are causing a nuisance by providing their name and address if known. This information is accessed by GMP and the local authority Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships, who can deploy officers to the area. All information given is treated with in the strictest confidence.

Councillor Paul Murphy, Vice-Chair Greater Manchester Police Authority, who is leading the campaign against off-road bikes commented: “People no longer have to pick up the phone to report this kind of nuisance. They can give us all the information we need on-line and even send pictures anonymously, helping us to identify the prolific offenders.”

“There is a massive strength of feeling amongst the general public that this reckless and irresponsible behaviour by a minority should be stopped. We are responding to this by making reporting quicker and easier. The data collated from on-line reporting will give us a true picture of the extent of the problem and enable problem hotspots to be identified and action taken.”

Chief Inspector Haydn Roberts, from GMP’s Traffic Network Section said: “We receive a large number of complaints from members of the public about off-road bikes and mini motos and this is an issue that we take extremely seriously. These bikes cause considerable annoyance and they are a danger to the public as well as creating noise pollution and damage to the environment.”

“I would like to assure people that we are committed to working with local authorities and the Police Authority to reduce the nuisance that these bikes cause and we will take robust action against anyone found to be flouting the law.”

Greater Manchester Police Authority has published advice and information on off-road nuisance on its website www.stopoffroadnuisance.co.uk. People can also to report incidents to the police by calling 0161-872-5050.

More information about the work of the GMPA can be found on www.gmpa.gov.uk

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