Police seize offroad bikes in Wakefield
Last updated 18th Mar 2021
Police in Wakefield have seized six offroad bikes and issued 15 fines and warnings after reports of them being ridden illegally across the district.
Six men and women have appeared in court and were fined a combined £3,577 for offences including driving and riding without insurance, failing to stop for a police officer and driving without a seatbelt.
They were caught after reports from local people at hotspots including Airedale, Sharlston Woods and Featherstone.
Police officers using off-road bikes were able to catch the suspects and seize vehicles before they could escape.
Separately - they were able to chase a man spotted breaking into a container in a field in Wakefield.
Chief Inspector Rick Sumner of Wakefield District Police, said: “The off-road Matrix Team continues to provide us with a brilliant capability to track down criminals harming our communities almost anywhere in Wakefield"
“The team are getting increasing reports from communities about problem areas and I would really ask residents to please keep this up.
“The community intelligence reports, CCTV and mobile phone footage really are invaluable and help us plan future operations and make sure we are patrolling where we are needed.”
He added: “I would also warn those who think it is acceptable to ride off road illegally and anti-socially that the communities of Wakefield won’t stand for it and neither will the police."