Durham Constabulary has introduced a new force-wide policy to crush seized vehicles in a bid to permanently remove them from the streets. Under Operation ORB, all off-road bikes and illegal e-scooters used antisocially or in crime will be seized and crushed.
Crushing Policy Aims to Prevent Return to Streets
The new policy follows the destruction of 70 illegal e-bikes in Shildon earlier this month. Those vehicles had been seized and taken off the streets of Darlington.
The force says that crushing the vehicles prevents them from being sold at auction and finding their way back onto the streets.
Police and Commissioner Respond to Community Concerns
Assistant Chief Constable Richie Allen said: "Off-road bikes ridden antisocially are causing serious concern in our communities. They put road users at risk and can leave people seriously injured or killed."
"You have repeatedly told us to act, and we are responding. Under Operation ORB, we will seize these vehicles, permanently remove them from our streets and crush them. We are determined to tackle this head-on and will make every effort to remove these bikes from the places where you live."
"Please help us by continuing to report antisocial behaviour or by attending your local PACT meeting. We can and we will do more."
Ongoing Partnership and Tougher Stance
Durham Constabulary says it is continuing to work alongside partners and local authorities across County Durham and Darlington, with neighbourhood teams stepping up action against antisocial riding and associated crime.
Durham Police and Crime Commissioner Joy Allen said: "Anti-social driving is not a nuisance, it is a danger to life. Reckless drivers put themselves and others at risk because their attention is not on the road and they are not fully in control of their vehicles. It only takes a moment for that behaviour to end in tragedy."
"It also blights communities. Time and again, residents tell me about off-road bikes tearing through neighbourhoods, creating noise, damaging land and wildlife, intimidating local people and making families feel unsafe in places they should be able to enjoy freely."
"In Durham, we have taken a tough stance on the illegal and dangerous use of off-road bikes, backed by investment, technology and dedicated policing operations. These new powers strengthen that work by enabling officers to act immediately and stop dangerous behaviour before it causes serious harm."
