Police Awareness on Anti-Social Behaviour
Last week we were joined by representative from Northumbria Police who spoke to Year 10 students discussing the topic of anti-social behaviour, with particular focus on illegal nuisance motorbikes as this is an increasing issue locally.
Antisocial use of a vehicle is more than a matter of noise pollution – though this can be the most noticeable problem. While quad bikes, three-wheeled bikes, trail bikes and some other two-wheeled vehicles are built for off-road use, it is against the law to ride them in public parks or on publicly-owned land without permission from the local authority. The effect of dangerous or reckless use of a vehicle can lead to criminal damage of roads, other vehicles and surrounding property.
The police spoke about their current operation to crack down on this issue. Known as Operation Capio, the project is already underway and consists of a taskforce allowing additional officers to be on the ground in areas with high rates of anti-social behaviour regarding bikes. In the first week of the operation seven motorcycles have were seized and destroyed as part of the programme in Sunderland and South Tyneside. The police representatives discussed this project and the issues around the behaviour with our students and asked them for their help in reporting any bad behaviour they may see that is disrupting our community.
Members of the public can report anti-social behaviour via the police’s website.