Operation Endurance relaunches in Cheltenham following a rise in the anti-social use of mopeds and scrambler bikes
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The Cheltenham Neighbourhood Policing Team has relaunched Operation Endurance following a rise in the anti-social use of mopeds and scrambler bikes.
Since the beginning of August there have been around 120 reported incidents involving bikes and scooters which are being ridden in an anti-social manner, these have mostly taken place in Hesters Way, St Marks, St Pauls and Pittville.
The operation will see Neighbourhood and Roads Policing officers working together to ensure that the anti-social use of these vehicles in public spaces is stopped.
Officers will take part in high visibility patrols of hotspot areas targeting those committing ASB and road traffic offences to help keep the public and other motorists safe from harm.
Examples of reported incidents have included teenagers riding scrambler bikes in an anti-social manner at King George V Playing Field and Pittville Park as well as a report that an elderly woman was knocked over in Hester's Way.
One incident earlier this month saw officers seize an electric bike.
Acting Sergeant Lee Walter from the Cheltenham Neighbourhood Policing Team said: "We'd like to ask the public to report any anti-social riding of e-bikes, mopeds, scramblers or motorbikes.
"In particular we are looking for information about where they are stored, who is riding them and any dashcam or CCTV footage that can be passed to us for review. Any bikes that are found to be ridden in an anti-social manner will be seized and the riders will be dealt with robustly."
Anyone who wishes to submit footage, photographs or information of bikes or other vehicles being driven anti-socially can do so by completing the following online form: https://www.gloucestershire.police.uk/a/your-area/local-policing-team-contact/contact-your-local-policing-team
If the offender/s remain in the area please call 101 or 999 if you are at risk of harm.
We'd like to warn residents that there are different legislations for e-scooters/e-bikes and Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycles (EAPCs).
EAPCs need to have a maximum power of 250 watts, have pedals fitted to propel the bike and to not be able to travel faster than 15.5mph. People have been converting bicycles to be in excess of the 250 watts limit therefore making them motor vehicles.
If a bicycle or transporter exceeds any of the above points then it functions in the same way as a motorbike so needs to comply with the Road Traffic Act and be licensed, insured and registered.
Any bike which reaches the threshold of being an EAPC and doesn't follow the legislation could be seized and disposed of under section 165 of the Road Traffic Act.
