North Yorkshire Policing goes off-road
A new team's been launched to help safeguard vulnerable people.
North Yorkshire Police have launched a new team, dealing with anti-social behaviour and crime associated with off-road motorcycles.
The force says it's an emerging trend nationally, causing disruption to residents and damaging wildlife and landscapes.
In North Yorkshire, more than 100 calls about off-road bikes were made between April and July 2020.
The specialist team will also be used to access hard-to-reach areas quickly, searching for missing people, tackling rural and wildlife crime, and supporting community events.
Four new officers have recently passed the College of Policing training, bringing the total number of officers to seven.
They're led by Inspector Kevin Kelly, who developed and implemented the team. He said:
"I’m immensely proud of the team. This is arguably one of the most physically demanding roles in policing, and the officers have put a huge amount of work in to develop their skills and resilience.
“Completion of this project has come about through partnership working with South Yorkshire Police, who have helped with training and mentoring, and the North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner who has provided funding for the riders’ safety kit.
“The team is now in a position to support a range of policing operations in urban and rural areas – from busy town centres to remote National Parks. I know they will make a real difference in our communities.”