CARM seizes bikes

Two illegally used off-road motorcycles have been seized in the latest joint enforcement operation between the council and police.

Environmental Health Officers, Police and Community Support Officers were patrolling known hotspot areas within the borough as part of Operation CARM - Campaign Against Rogue Motorcycles – which aims to tackle the noise and anti-social behaviour associated with nuisance motorcyclists.

On Saturday 12 May the group came across two bikes, which they believed were being used illegally. A short time later, two bikes were seized when it emerged the owners had no insurance or documentation, endangering their lives and causing anti-social behaviour.

Officers pulled over a 15-year-old male rider and his 16-year-old passenger, who was not wearing a helmet, on St Albans Road in South Mimms. The 125cc Kawasaki off-road bike is worth approximately £800.

A 20-year-old man, who was also without a helmet, was stopped at Meadow Park in Borehamwood. His 80cc Kawasaki is thought to be worth about £600.

The riders were charged with offences including riding on a public highway with no insurance, no licence, no helmet, no MOT. A noise abatement notice was served on the 20-year-old as his bike registered almost 20 decibels over the legal limit.

Assistant Chief Environmental Health Officer Paul Sawyer, said: "CARM is a joint operation which we run at different times and locations regularly throughout the year. We use information and intelligence gathered from various sources to target our patrols to hotspot areas across Hertsmere.

“These bikes cause a nuisance and disturbance to people living near parks and open spaces. In most cases, the riders have no permission to ride on the land and are breaching several laws. In addition, many have non-standard exhausts that make them illegal due to excessive noise, which causes great distress to local residents. By carrying out roadside checks we aim to identify the worst offenders and seize their bikes.”

Roads Policing Officer PC Andy Chittenden, said “Off-road bikes must not be taken onto the road unless they are properly taxed, tested and the riders have the appropriate licence and insurance.

“Riders need to understand that the penalty is expensive. Anyone caught will be issued with a notice that states if they are caught again in the next 12 months, their bike will be confiscated. The payment for release is over £100 and they will also be charged a daily rate for storage of the bike until the payment is made. No payment, no bike.

“Riders should also be aware that if they are riding illegally, for example without a licence or insurance, then they are also subject to the normal traffic offences and could be taken to court and end up being disqualified.”

To report nuisance motorcycles call the CARM 24 hour reporting number 0208 207 7553.