Sadly across Stoke-on-Trent North, Kidsgrove and Talke illegal off-road biking has been causing a nuisance on our beautiful green spaces and endangering the public.
I have raised this with the Staffordshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, Matthew Ellis, and worked with local Councillors for a long term solution.
It was great to join local Councillors for Baddeley, Milton and Norton,Cllr James Smith and Cllr Dave Evans alongside Staffordshire Police and officers from Stoke-on-Trent City Council
for a walk around Norton-le-Moors to look at hotspots and discuss some short and long term measures.
I’m delighted to see Stoke-on-Trent City Council pitting up Section 59 notices and will be sending out a leaflet to educate on the dangers involved by not acting socially responsibly. Longer term there are some exciting ideas to help with enforcement and prevention which I will work with the City Council to deliver on.
Staffordshire Police have also used a fixed wing plane to good effect with arrests and vehicle seizures taking place. However, this comes at a cost and the resource is limited.
Ultimately the issue will never truly stop unless parents stop their children and community’s help to work with our youth for safe places to them to be active whilst being safe.