Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones has funded three off-road motorcycles for Hampshire Constabulary’s Roads Policing Unit to help officers tackle anti-social behaviour.
These vehicles, used by RPU officers, will provide an entirely new tactical option for local policing to follow those who seek to evade police by going off road on powered vehicles. They will also help to patrol off-road areas and deal with serious ASB, rural crime and organised crime.
£15,000 added to fund
The Commissioner has contributed £15,000 from her ASB Fund, which was set up alongside the Commissioner’s ASB Taskforce last year.
The taskforce is a collaboration between the PCC, Hampshire Constabulary and local partners to tackle specific problems and issues that require action beyond policing alone.
Jones: Difficult to apprehend teenagers
Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones said,
“Tackling ASB is one of the key priorities in my Police and Crime Plan More Police, Safer Streets’, and funding these bikes is an excellent outcome of the ASB Taskforce I set up last year. It shows that there is real value in bringing together policing and local authority partners to discuss critical ASB issues that affect a number of communities and find quick, tangible and collaborative solutions.
“The Roads Policing Unit have told me it’s difficult to apprehend teenagers who are creating anti-social behaviour in our communities. They often disappear down alleyways in urban areas, or across fields in rural communities. These bikes will help us to stay on top of these issues.”
Tester: Serious criminality with motorcycles and high-powered electric bicycles
Insp Andy Tester from the Constabulary’s Roads Policing Unit said,
“We have seen an increasing pattern of serious criminality and persistent anti-social behaviour across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, involving motorcycles and high-powered electric bicycles.
“With the support of the Police and Crime Commissioner, we will soon have the equipment and training to engage with and tackle those responsible for these crimes, whether it takes place on the roads or elsewhere.”
The new off-road bikes are expected to be operational in early summer across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
News shared by the office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, in their own words. Ed
