Police need powers to tackle moped and off-road bike crime
Local MP Steve Reed has called for Croydon Police to be given the powers and resources to tackle criminals using off-road bikes and mopeds in Croydon North.
Steve Reed has raised the issue locally after hearing from a number of constituents about the problems caused by off-road bikes, quads and mopeds which have been particularly involved in antisocial behaviour in the Thornton Heath, West Croydon and Selhurst areas of the constituency.
Local residents have been terrorised by riders on bikes that have often been stolen, with bike theft rising in recent years. Riders are often masked and riding without proper registration.
The police are able to seize bikes under antisocial behaviour legislation but Steve Reed called on the government to clarify that they were legally allowed to pursue bikes and mopeds as long as it is safe to do so.
Steve Reed MP said:
The police have experienced brutal cuts over the last seven years and the loss of officers from the streets has had a direct impact on the rise in crime and antisocial behaviour. Too many local residents’ lives are being blighted by the disturbance some bike users have caused and Croydon Police need the resources to be able to take action.
They can only do the job properly with help from local residents, so if you have information on anyone who is behind this anti-social behaviour, please report to 101.
As a local MP I see so much good work from our police, but it’s more and more difficult for them to get on with the job of protecting our streets when 20,000 officers have been cut in the last seven years, and budgets remain squeezed. Officers also need the power to pursue bikes legally where it is safe, but ministers have been dragging their feet on clarifying the law.
It’s about time the Government gave them the resources and powers they need to keep our community safe.
Steven Reed is Labour MP for Croydon North and Shadow Minister for Children and Families. In 2018 his private member’s bill on reducing violent mental health restraint became law. In June 2019 he launched Labour’s civil society strategy outlining radical plans to empower citizens and communities.
Steve chairs the Cooperative Councils Innovation Network, co-chairs the All-Party Parliamentary Group for London, was Leader of Lambeth Council 2006-12 where he led the council’s children’s services to become best-rated in the country and pioneered the public-health approach to tackling violent youth crime. He worked in publishing for 16 years and was an elected trade union branch secretary.