Published on:
11
May 2012
Clackmannanshire Council's Community Warden Team and Central Scotland Police are launching a crackdown addressing the issue of "off road vehicles."
They will be using information received from the community to carry out high profile targeted patrols in identified problem areas.
Officers from the Road Policing Unit will also be deployed throughout the county on their own off road vehicles to help address the issue.
Recent patrols have resulted in seven people being warned regarding the use of off road vehicles in Alloa, Alva, Clackmannan, Coalsnaughton and Sauchie. Three people have also been charged with road traffic offences and two off road motor bikes have been confiscated.
Garry Dallas, Director of Services and Communities, said: "Over a number of years Clackmannanshire in common with other Local Authority areas have continued to encounter increasing damage, disruption and complaints as a result of the use off road vehicles.
"Most of this activity involves the illegal use of motorcycles, mini motorcycles and quads on both private and public land.
"In Clackmannanshire this activity has and is still being undertaken in areas ranging from housing estates, other public roads and footpaths, farm fields, tip sites and Forestry Commission land. "
The noise, danger and damage has contributed significantly toward quality of life issues for sections of the community and increasing public frustration in the problems continuance.
The problem is recognised by the Scottish Government and provision to deal with this issue is included in the Antisocial Behaviour (Scotland) Act 2004. These measures allow Police to issue formal warnings for illegal use of these machines to first offenders and subsequently to seize the vehicle for a further offence.
If you have any information relating to the use of off road bikes please contact the Community Team on 01259 450000.