Wishaw community policing team carried out an initiative over the weekend targeting the antisocial use of off road vehicles in Coltness, Cambusnethan and Newmains.
Using a combination of proactive policing, intelligence and SelectaDNA Spray (a compact offender marking spray used to deter and prevent personal attack and criminal behaviour) three men have been reported to the Procurator Fiscal for various road traffic offences and a quad bike and three off road motorcycles were seized.
PC Paul Steel, the local community police officer said: “We are responding to a number of complaints made by residents regarding ongoing issues with quad bikes and off road motorcycles being driven on public footpaths and park areas.
“Not only is this antisocial, but it is extremely dangerous for anyone making use of the public areas.
"If one of these bikes were to be driven at speed and make contact with a member of the public, the outcome would be devastating, creating a ripple effect throughout the community.
“We need to remember whilst people want places to go on motorcycles, it is their responsibility to do it legally and sensibly on privately owned ground or facilities set up to accommodate it."
He added: “We can’t allow local people to live in fear, scared to use the public amenities and as such we will continue to educate through our work in the local community and schools and will support with our elected councillors to get the message out there that it just isn’t acceptable.
“Where we believe people to be using off road bikes illegally, we will detect offenders, seize bikes and continue to ensure the safety and wellbeing of everyone involved.”
The team will continue to target those who use these types of vehicles illegally and would encourage anyone who has information on regarding illegal use of these bikes to report it to the police on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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