Spotlight on dangerous and illegal use of off-road bikes in Co Durham and Darlington as Crimestoppers appeals for information.

There have been rising concerns over the illegal use of off-road bikes and other mechanically propelled bikes including mopeds, e-bikes and e-scooters.

Complaints often centre around off-road bikes are becoming a threat to the public as the bikes are ridden recklessly in residential areas, town centres, on pavements and in green spaces – with no concern from the riders for their own safety or that of the public.

Help keep your community safe and give information to Crimestoppers 100% anonymously.

To pass on information about the illegal use of off-road bikes completely anonymously, visit the Crimestoppers website (Crimestoppers-uk.org). You can fill in a safe and secure form or you can call the 24/7 UK-based Contact Centre on 0800 555 111. Young people can also report crime via the charity’s youth service website Fearless.org.

Help to keep our communities safe and tell us what you know about any mechanically propelled bikes being used illegally. Useful information includes:

• Who is riding them illegally and what they were wearing
• The names of those responsible for putting the public and themselves in danger.
• Where are they being stored
• The exact location, date and time the bike/s were seen
• Anything distinctive: colour, make, number plate details

Fleur Brown, North-East Regional Manager at the charity Crimestoppers, said: “Please help to keep our community safe. Tell our charity 100% anonymously who is involved in riding off-road bikes illegally, putting their and others’ lives at risk.

“If you own or ride an off-road bike or other mechanically propelled bike, (that includes e-bikes and e-scooters), you must ensure that you comply with UK law. Our campaign webpage at crimestoppers-uk.org/get-involved/campaigns/illegal-off-road-bike-activity-across-the-north-east gives useful information on all manner of bikes.

“Help protect one another in our community by speaking up and sharing what you know with our charity, 100% anonymously. You could be saving someone’s life.”

Co Durham and Darlington Police and Crime Commissioner Joy Allen added: “There are places where off-road bikes, e-scooters, powered bikes and so on can be used legally and safely.  And there are places where they are not allowed and their very use is putting other people at risk.

“I know how much this worries many pedestrians, road users and those seeking to walk on a pavement in safety because they tell me so.  It’s important that we all help to do something about it, by reporting people using them.  We do not have to suffer in silence.

“That’s why I’m really pleased to support this campaign which enables people to report problems anonymously.  Please, use this facility – and if you own a bike or scooter make sure you know where you can, and where you can’t use it.  This crackdown could prove costly otherwise!”