1:02pm Sunday 10th August 2008
By Peter Magill
MINI motos have been seized by Rossendale police during a clampdown on the illegal bikes in the Valley.
The police action came after residents complained about anti-social behaviour caused by the illegal use of mini-motos and motorbikes in the Hammond Avenue area of Bacup.
They seized four bikes and also spoke to a number of youths about their behaviour as part of Operation Summer Nights.
Police community support officer Scott Taylor said: “Vehicle nuisance like this greatly affects the quality of life of local residents so we were keen to take positive action.
“We spoke to a number of youths advising them not just about their behaviour but also about the dangers of these bikes and we actually took four bikes away.
“As a result we have not had one single report of vehicle nuisance since which is good news for the residents concerned.”
Residents in the Hammond Avenue area have been plagued by problems with anti-social youths on and off for four years.
The Toll Bar area, Tunstead Estate, Hammond Avenue, Fernhill Drive and Farholme Lane were the subject of two separate dispersal orders, allowing police to break up large gatherings of youths, in 2004 and 2005.
Coun Christine Lamb, Stacksteads councillor, said: “It has been quite quiet there for a while now - it must have been about three years since we had a meeting with the MP Janet Anderson about the problems in Hammond Avenue.
“Operation Summer Nights is really good at doing things like this and taking alcohol off young people.”
Coun Sean Serridge, Whitworth county councillor who lives in Bacup, added: “These bikes are dangerous and it is illegal to ride them on roads and footpaths.
“The police in Stacksteads should be congratulated for taking such swift action in dealing with this problem.”
Police said similar action would be taken elsewhere if there were problems.
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