Police ramp up fight against illegal bikes
BBC/Peter HarrisA police force has said its fight against illegal bikes is ramping up, but one MP says residents have heard "enough promises".
Earlier in July, it was reported there had been 33 seizures since the launch of a Cleveland Police scheme in June.
Now, a total of 79 off-road, electric bikes and quad bikes have been seized by the new task force, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
Matt Vickers, Stockton West's Conservative MP, said it was an issue "residents raise with me time and time again".
Recent changes to legislation mean officers are able to seize bikes and vehicles linked to anti-social behaviour without providing an initial warning.
As part of their efforts, electric bikes are used by officers alongside drones.
Vickers said: "People are fed up with illegal e-bikes and off-road bikes being ridden through our parks, on pavements and around our estates without any regard for the law or for public safety."
Labour councillor Norma Stephenson, cabinet member for community safety, said Stockton Council worked closely with the force and other partners through its "Not on Our Streets" campaign to tackle the criminal and anti-social use of e-bikes, off-road bikes and other illegal vehicles.
Stephenson said information from local communities and partner agencies had been used to help target offending and improve community safety.
Supt Paul Richardson, lead for the criminal use of bikes, said: "We are fully committed to continuing to be strong on this type of crime, and protect our communities from those who pose harm by using bikes for criminal gain."
He said he expected momentum to grow in the number of bikes being seized in the coming months.
