MERSEYSIDE POLICE SCRAMBLER BIKE OPERATION

POLICE Officers from across Merseyside are once again taking part in an initiative over the summer months to put the brakes on the criminal and anti social use of scrambler bikes across the  Merseyside County.

In the last few years it has become increasingly apparent that many of the riders of these bikes have a complete disregard for decent, law abiding members in their communities. And with the arrival of light nights there is a likelihood that riders of these bikes may be tempted to ride them more often, causing further disruption and misery to our communities.

Operation Brookdale will centre on areas across Merseyside where communities have suffered from the illegal and anti social use of scrambler and quad bikes. This is the third time this operation has been run and this year's operation began on Tuesday, 1 July 2014. Particular attention will be paid to roads, parks and any land to which the public have access and identified by communities as hotspots for riders involved in the illegal, or anti social use of scramblers.

Neighbourhood officers in all of the Basic Command Units (Liverpool North, Liverpool South, Wirral, Sefton, St Helens and Knowsley) will be supported by officers from the specialist Matrix team, Roads Policing Department, Vehicle Crime and the mounted and dog sections.

During the operation the following activity will take place:-

► High visibility Police Patrols, including officers on scramblers and quad bikes, on roads, parkland and other public spaces

► Plain clothes patrols

► The use of locally gathered intelligence to target places where illegal bikers are known to ride

► Enforcement of traffic law on the highway to restrict the activities of legal riders on our roads

► Education in the schools about the dangers of these bikes and the laws surrounding their use

► Visits to petrol stations by officers and PCSOs.

► There are concerns that young people using these bikes illegally are able to get petrol to use the bike, and officers will be asking the petrol stations to support Police in not allowing anyone under 16 to buy fuel.

Superintendent David Charnock, said:- "Merseyside Police will not tolerate the illegal, or anti social use of scrambler, or quad bikes. Sometimes the riders of these bikes don't understand the consequences for local communities and the harm that the use of these bikes can cause. In the wrong hands these bikes are potentially lethal and people need to understand the legislation in relation to the legal use of these bikes, and the potential consequences of driving these bikes irresponsibly. Working together with local people and partner agencies, we are determined to tackle riders who are blighting our neighbourhoods. Our communities should be reassured that Merseyside Police is working hard to take nuisance vehicles and the criminals who use them off our roads. Anyone who takes to the roads illegally and poses a danger to pedestrians and other motorists on our roads, risks losing their licence and if their reckless driving results in injury or death they will face a prison sentence. My message to these people is ask yourself - is it worth the risk?"