Off-road bikers causing chaos in neighbourhoods across south Wales are facing a major new police offensive. South Wales Police has announced it has assembled a new anti-social off-road team who will be dedicated to dealing with the problem.
Officers have said in a statement that there are "increasing levels of organised crime" being committed by people using off-road bikes to get around, whilst acknowledging the nuisance and potential risk of harm and injury they can cause to the public and animals.
The new operation will use an "intelligence-driven approach" to identify offenders and disrupt the illegal activity. And the force has encouraged anyone who is experiencing an issue where they live to report it to them. You can get more crime news and other story updates straight to your inbox by subscribing to our newsletters here.
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We reported in July how police had seized off-road bikes which had been plaguing Elwy Gardens and Goronwy Road in Townhill in Swansea after pictures and video were submitted by fed up residents living in the middle of it. Officers said the evidence had helped them identify two of the main culprits responsible for the anti-social behaviour taking place. You can read more about that by clicking here.
A statement from South Wales Police read: "We know that off-road bikes cause a nuisance and contribute to anti-social behaviour across our communities, and we as a force are committed to tackling those who cause problems.
"We have just launched an anti-social off-road team (ASORT). These are dedicated and specially trained officers, whose focus is not just on dealing with the anti-social use of off-road bikes – which can cause harm or injury to people, animals and land – but also with the increasing levels of organised crime being committed where perpetrators are using these bikes to get around.
"ASORT will use an intelligence-driven approach to help identify offending riders, disrupt illegal activity and seize offending vehicles. Patrols will be carried out using a variety of all-terrain vehicles, including scrambler bikes, electric off-road bikes, quads as well as drones.
"This work will be done alongside the proactive work already being carried out to address the issues by local officers. The intelligence and reports provided by you, our communities, enable us to understand where there are problematic areas, as well as those who are responsible."
Police said it would be for local officers across the South Wales Police force area to identify problem locations, and then request the assistance of the ASORT. ASORT and local policing teams will then collectively run intelligence-led operations which will focus on solving the issues identified.
You can report your concerns on the South Wales Police website by clicking here.
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