Police seize off-road bikes in Chelmsley Wood

SEIZED: One of the 15 bikes confiscated by police today.

ADDRESSES in Chelmsley Wood were raided earlier today as part of an ongoing crackdown on off-road bikes.
Police swooped on homes around the region in response to reports of quad bikes, scramblers and motor bikes tearing around residential streets and local parkland.
Seven people - aged between 17 and 30 - were arrested during the operation, on suspicion of crimes including causing a public nuisance, criminal damage, possession of drugs and public order offences.
Properties in nearby parts of Birmingham, including Sheldon and Hodge Hill, were also targeted.
It was confirmed this afternoon that no less than 15 vehicles had been seized during the exercise.
Chief Insp Jack Hadley, of West Midlands Police, said: "The message to off-road bikers is very clear: enough is enough.
"We have been patient and tried to speak to those involved to warn about the dangers of their actions − but such unacceptable behaviour must now stop.
"There is a huge amount of work going on across West Midlands Police into tackling this menace on our communities. This isn’t always visible to the public - like the operation today - but everyone should be reassured we are taking action."
Offences involving off-road bikes tend to peak during the summer months, although councillors in North Solihull have suggested that in recent years there are increasingly more reports throughout the year.
There was recently an incident of an off-vehicle colliding with a pedestrian, who suffered a fractured foot.