Medway Council defends response to anti-social behaviour
The council are yet to issue a single fine.
Medway Council are defending their policing of anti-social behaviour involving cars and motorbikes.
The council claims public spaces protection orders against vehicle nuisance which were put in place in April are working.
The orders were brought in to address the anti-social use of vehicles. Barnfield Recreation Ground in Chatham is a hotspot for the issue.
New powers have been given to the police to stop people riding motorbikes which destroys the grass and poses a risk to other park users.
But a freedom of information request by the Local Democracy Reporting Service has found that between April and July, police were called to the park 65 times but no fines were issued.
It also found that the police only attended the scene on 10 occasions and none of the vehicles which resident had reported were seized in this period.
Medway Council, however, say 38 fixed penalty notices have been issued for nuisance vehicles since May and that they are committed to concentrating on the problem.
“We have carried out proactive joint patrols with police to tackle nuisance bikes, and we will continue to work together to coordinate our efforts.”
The council encourage anyone with concerns to contact the police by calling 101.