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Antisocial Behaviour and Off-road Bikes
26 May 2022
Lead MP
Grahame Morris
Easington
Lab
Responding Minister
Rachel Maclean
Tags
Policing & ResourcesCrime & Law EnforcementJustice & CourtsStandards & EthicsLocal Government
Word Count: 6905
Other Contributors: 2
At a Glance
Grahame Morris raised concerns about antisocial behaviour and off-road bikes in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
I urge the Minister to introduce a national police strategy for tackling antisocial behaviour associated with off-road motorbikes. I also ask for guidance on using existing powers more effectively and restoring community policing.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Residents in Easington and other constituencies face severe antisocial behaviour from off-road bikes, causing trauma and fear. Mud is thrown on homes deliberately, green spaces are destroyed, residents fear reprisals if they report crimes, businesses face threats, and there have been fatal accidents involving children.
Judith Cummins
Lab
Bradford South
She introduced a ten-minute rule Bill to address the misuse of off-road vehicles, especially quad bikes. She noted that around 1,100 quad bikes are stolen from farms each year, costing farmers £3 million. These vehicles cause distress to residents due to noise and pose serious risks to road users and pedestrians. Cummins argued for mandatory helmet use on public highways and a registration system for all quads to tackle antisocial behaviour and reduce theft. Is the Minister confident that the police have the power to seize and destroy illegal off-road quad bikes, rather than simply seizing them and later returning them to circulation through selling?
Sarah Jones
Lab
Croydon West
Constituents report disruption caused by off-road bikes. The issue affects urban and rural areas, impacting residents' safety and quality of life. Police require more support to address the problem effectively. Since 2010, crime has increased by 18%, while prosecutions have dropped by 18%. Arson cases have risen significantly despite lockdowns, with only 4.3% leading to charges. Labour police and crime commissioners are taking action but need government support.
Government Response
Rachel Maclean
Government Response
It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Ms Fovargue. I join with other Members in thanking the hon. Member for Easington (Grahame Morris) for securing this debate, and also the hon. Member for Bradford South (Judith Cummins) for her contribution. I start by making it very clear that I know antisocial behaviour causes a huge amount of concern and distress for constituents all over the country—as it does in my constituency. At its worst, such behaviour plagues the lives of victims, stifles communities and ruins the enjoyment of public spaces. The Government will not tolerate that. We have always been clear that we stand on the side of the law-abiding majority, and that includes using every available measure to address antisocial behaviour. I want to be very clear with the hon. Member for Croydon Central (Sarah Jones), and ask her to accept that I have explained to the House on numerous occasions how seriously I take that. The hon. Member for Easington has rightly raised specific concerns about off-road biking and the harm it can cause communities. Any form of antisocial, dangerous or inconsiderate behaviour involving vehicles, including off-road bikes, is a serious issue. We have suggested that we need a national strategy to deal with this problem; as he has mentioned, he has raised the issue in parliamentary questions. I will set out the Government's response and the work we are doing and explain the rationale for our approach, which is a local approach. The police, local authorities and other local agencies have a range of flexible tools and powers under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014. It is an issue with a particularly local dimension and the Act was designed to take account of that. They are best placed to understand what is driving the behaviour in question and the impact it is having, and to determine the most appropriate response. Importantly, the 2014 Act contains measures designed to give victims and communities a say in the way complaints about antisocial behaviour are dealt with. The community trigger gives victims of persistent antisocial behaviour the ability to demand a formal case review. We have not heard the calls he referred to for widespread changes to the law, but of course we keep these matters under review. We recognise the critical role of local policing and wider partnerships within community groups. That is why, as part of the police and crime commissioners review, we are seeking to improve the effectiveness of the community safety framework, which includes the community safety partnerships. In addition to the antisocial behaviour powers, the police have the power under section 59 of the Police Reform Act 2002 to seize vehicles, including off-road bikes, being used in an antisocial manner. That can be the result of using a vehicle in a careless or inconsiderate manner, or causing alarm, distress or annoyance to members of the public. The enforcement of road traffic law and the deployment of resources is the responsibility of individual chief officers, taking into account local problems and demands. We are continually looking at whether the tools, powers and frameworks are fit for purpose. That is why we have introduced significant legislation to allow policing to tackle the most serious threats to our communities, including the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022. We will do a similar thing through the Public Order Bill, the Economic Crime (Transparency and Enforcement) Act 2022 and a number of other measures, including the Domestic Abuse Act 2021. I would like to mention a piece of work that we are doing to address an issue that the hon. Lady raised. She talked about insurance, quad bikes and GPS trackers. We know that insurance policies that replace equipment like-for-like with no questions asked encourage a cycle of theft and disincentivise owners from protecting their property. That is why the Minister for Crime and Policing wrote to manufacturers of agricultural and construction machinery in February encouraging them to commit to do more to increase security. The Home Office announced this year the fourth round of the safer streets fund, with £50 million invested annually over the next three years to give local organisations the resources they need to tackle crime and antisocial behaviour.
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About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.