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Saturday, 6 February 2016

Fresh concerns raised about off-road bikes in North Solihull.

CALLS for the authorities to do more about the scourge of off-road bikes in North Solihull intensified this week.
The problems being reported in a number of local communities were raised by Councillor Chris Williams (Green, Chelmsley Wood) at Tuesday's Full Council meeting.
He told the region's Police and Crime Commissioner, David Jamieson, that many residents felt despondent because they had been making efforts to alert police, but saw little action being taken.
"One thing that is raising the fear of crime very much is off-road bikes," said Coun Williams (pictured, right).
"Especially when there are 12 going past your property late at night, with masks, balaclavas and no lights.
"West Midlands Police disbanded your off-road unit but you're now asking residents to report the information...Residents are doing that and they're giving up because they're saying they're passing on that intelligence and they're getting no reply, no information, no feedback."
Mr Jamieson acknowledged that off-road bikes were a "common problem" across the region, but insisted that officers would act on tip-offs from the public. He cited the example of one operation in an area where bikes were descending every Friday evening.
"[The police] got a team of about five cars and officers, closed in on them, took the bikes, crushed them and got rid of them. The problem has been gone for about nine months and hasn't reappeared.
"That's what I call intelligent policing; using new technology, empowering people to actually get something done about it by reporting it on the internet."
Tuesday night's exchange comes after residents launched a petition calling for councils to make it harder for the bikes to access local parkland.
Coun Debbie Evans (UKIP, Kingshurst & Fordbridge) has supported the efforts, which are being led by the campaign-group Action for Babbs Mill.
"The time for talking has come to an end and action now needs to be taken," she said.

  • Read more about the Police and Crime Commissioner's comments on local policing in the next edition of the Other Side of Solihull newspaper - out at the beginning of next week.

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