Children at risk as mini moto riders plague Tunstall park
FAMILIES plagued by mini moto riders at a city park hope these images will prompt action from other residents and police.
Bankeyfields Residents' Association says youths riding the motorbikes at Bankeyfields Park, Tunstall, are causing a nuisance and putting children at risk.
Two of the riders have been caught on video speeding around the park.
Residents' association member Matt Burke, of John Rhodes Way, said people need to report incidents so the police are aware how often it is happening.
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The 37-year-old said: "It has been a problem for the last couple of weeks. They are riding around the children's play area and it's hard to see them coming.
"They are there at times when kids will be playing out and someone could get hurt.
"We want people to work together to get rid of them and to ring the police 101 number and report it.
"People have said there's no point because by the time the police come out the bikes have gone.
"But the local officers have said we should call even if it's just to log the bikes being in the area, so they can get a better idea of the problem.
"Some are concerned about the police coming out to their house as well. But you can request that they don't come round if you want to."
Anyone found riding off-road bikes, motorised scooters and mini motos illegally will receive an official warning under the Anti-Social Behaviour Act.
If the same person is found in similar circumstances a second time the bike may be seized, whether they own it or not.
To get the vehicle back there is a £150 charge for removal, plus daily storage costs.
Bryn Jones, aged 43, of Spitfire Way, said: "The problem is made worse by the fact we've got an issue with the council not cutting the grass.
"At the moment they are just cutting sections of it because of cutbacks, so it's very overgrown and in some areas you can't see beyond your eye line. You can't see the bikes coming and people have nearly been run over by them.
"People need to phone the police and report them. All you have to do is ring 101. They will put you through to the call centre and log your complaint. If you tell them it's an ongoing problem it will get more of a reaction."
PCSO Michael Frost, who helps to police the local area alongside PC Glyn Talbot and PCSO Andy Wootton, said: "Three reports were received of a teenager riding a mini moto in the Bankeyfields Park area between June 9 and 12.
"Tackling such nuisance vehicles is part of daily business for officers and we are actively pursuing inquiries to trace this person.
"Off-road bikes, motorised scooters and mini motos cause significant noise nuisance and can be a danger to people using greenways and open spaces.
"Anti-social behaviour of this kind will not be tolerated, and officers will take appropriate action. We do have the power to seize and crush bikes."
Comments
by PECKER66
Sunday, June 24 2012, 11:35PM
“IF THE POLICE CAN HANG ABOUT IN CHEADLE FOR A FEW DAYS THEN A CHANGE OF SCENERY MAY DO THEM GOOD AT TUNSTALL PARK DOING A SERVICE TO THE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.”
by mediamaniaX
Friday, June 22 2012, 1:08PM
“The last time the police tried to stop one these idiots & they fell off, the sentinel & it's readers had a field day calling for the officers heads on a platter.
Damned if you do & damned if you don't.”
by WebMonkey1
Friday, June 22 2012, 9:21AM
“THe problem is there are so many Rat Runs, officers can't be in more than one place at once, we need people to call 101 to report to get an idea of time and location patterns so they can be located.
The nets closing, just need a bit more help in doing it. Just phone 101, tell them it's a known problem. Tell them you don't want the police at your door so there's no come back. Simple really.
Unless you like these oiks tear-arsing past little kids.”
by E_D_Wivens
Friday, June 22 2012, 6:45AM
“"Why, is it because they can't be bothered or is it a waste of resources?"
Both, Diz. Limited resources to deal with a elusive problem. Let's say you're taking a stroll in the park one Sunday, when a bunch of these prats come whizzing round the corner and bowl you over. You pick yourself up and call PC Plod, who might turn up several hours later and do what exactly? The vermin have long since scuttled back to their ratholes on the nearby estates.
Let's imagine that there are twice as many police as there currently are (if only) - can you even them see them coming out in time? And even if they did, what's an overweight copper burdened with a heavy anti-stab vest going to do? Usain Bolt couldn't catch these little scr0tes.
And don't expect the plod to even begin to bother about until someone gets significantly hurt, and even then it will just be for the media flurry. After a few months, everything would be back to exactly as it is. Should it not really be an issue for the Council to tackle, with the Police just acting as enforcement?
Mrs Wiv and I nearly got mowed down by a flock of these little rodents recently, I threw a brick at one of them but sadly missed by a few feet.”
by bigmouth666
Thursday, June 21 2012, 7:26PM
“It looks like they a sitting on a toilet.”
by bigmouth666
Thursday, June 21 2012, 7:21PM
“Proper bikes Razza, these little prats will never be able to afford proper bikes.”
by Stumoo2010
Thursday, June 21 2012, 6:38PM
“Target practice for armed Police officers !”
by Razza20vt
Thursday, June 21 2012, 6:09PM
“if there going do it make sure its a proper bike. do they realise how stupid they look?”
by magnum57
Thursday, June 21 2012, 4:54PM
“The bikes have more than likely been stolen.”
by djdaz1210
Thursday, June 21 2012, 4:03PM
“COOL COMENTS, CPN OAT & WB MONKEY”