Anti-social illegal bikes tear up sports pitches

Damage to a sport pitch in Batley by off-road bikes has prompted a councillor to speak of her "frustration".

Kirklees councillor Yusra Hussain said photographs taken on 5 July at Batley ARLFC showed the ground covered in tracks from off-road bikes.

She said the damage to such "important community facilities" was "really disappointing".

The damage has been reported to the police and West Yorkshire Police and Kirklees Council have been approached for comment.

Hussain said: "These are important community facilities used by local children, families and sports clubs, and every pound spent repairing unnecessary damage is money that can't be invested back into improving them."

She said she was working with the club, the council and other agencies to tackle the issue but said "we all have a part to play".

"I want to encourage everyone to take pride in where they live, respect the community spaces we all share, and recognise the impact that ongoing antisocial behaviour, including repeated motorcycle use on the pitches, has on local residents and future generations."

The Local Democracy Reporting Service said West Yorkshire Police have seized more than 150 bikes and carried out more than 2,000 prosecutions since 2024.

Speaking in 2025, Insp Charlotte Nicholls, said: "Those who think it is somehow OK to drive or ride in an illegal and unsafe manner should know that we won't tolerate it and neither will residents living in the areas they offend in."

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