Context
Concern about the antisocial use of off-road bikes in communities, including electric bikes that can be modified for high speeds.
Question
What steps her Department is taking to tackle the antisocial use of off-road bikes. Gwent police are tackling dangerous, illegal off-road bikes, but a related problem is electric bikes which are sometimes chipped to go faster and have become a new danger. The bikes can be switched up from being a means to get from A to B into being a real menace.
Answer from The Minister for Policing and Crime Prevention (Dame Diana Johnson)
Our Crime and Policing Bill, which Opposition Members voted against on Third Reading, is giving the police greater powers to clamp down on off-road bikes and other nuisance vehicles that cause chaos in our communities. Once the changes come into force, officers will no longer be required to issue a warning before they seize a bike that is being used antisocially. On 28 May, we published a consultation to explore changes to the circumstances in which the police can seize and destroy these vehicles, and we will not hesitate to go further if needed. Yes, I am very happy to look into that issue and to meet my hon. Friend to discuss it. He may want to know that the 60 additional officers that are going to be available in his police force area by the end of this year will help to tackle some of the antisocial behaviour involving e-bikes and other vehicles.
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