Email in your pictures of off-road bikers

Worries about off-road bikers? Then email us!

That’s the latest initiative from Beds Police as the force continues its crackdown on off-road bikers by launching a dedicated email address for the public to submit detailed information on bikers.

The latest Operation Meteor initiative is designed to allow residents in anti-social behaviour hotspot areas to submit in-depth descriptions of the activity and culprits they witness, as well as any photographs and video they may have of off-road biking in progress.

The email address can also be used to provide the names and details of any people you know or suspect to be involved in this activity, which causes distress and nuisance in communities throughout the county.

The information will be used by the force’s Operation Meteor team as valuable intelligence, which will assist with already ongoing work to identify and disrupt bikers behind the scenes.

Chief Inspector Sean Quinn, who will help lead the Meteor project, said: “Off-road biking presents a significant challenge for police and has done for some time – what we really want the public to know is that we have already been exercising the powers available to us and are constantly looking for ways to improve our response to this troublesome and dangerous behaviour.

“We recognise that Bedfordshire residents are frustrated and frightened by this issue and that’s exactly why we are investing in a new approach.

“Unfortunately we are not able to resource immediate attendance at each and every call made to us about off-road biking, but always allocate each call according to the level of threat, harm and risk posed at the time.

“This new email address will be an interactive way of providing us with vital intelligence and we appreciate the public’s support in helping us to stop this activity at the source by tracking and dealing with those responsible.”

The email address is not an instant reporting tool, and will not be monitored 24/7.

Residents must still call 101 to speak directly to police to report crimes, and 999 in a genuine emergency.

The initiative is also being supported by Bedfordshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner Olly Martins, who said: “From talking to residents across the county, I understand the frustration felt towards off-road bikers.

“I am committed to tackling this issue, and I fully support Chief Inspector Quinn and the Op Meteor team with this new initiative.”

Chief Inspector Quinn added: “I would like to stress that while we are thankful for the public’s support and would appeal for as much information as possible, we never encourage or condone vigilantism and would urge people not to put themselves at risk or take matters into their own hands.

“We are excited about working more closely with residents as well as our partners and the wider community to further crack down on off-road bikers and make the streets safer and quieter for everyone.”

>Residents can email [email protected] with information.