Officers and specialist teams in Coventry are working hard to crack down on antisocial behaviour.
Throughout the year, a number of reports of illegal use of off-road bikes, quad bikes, and scooters have been made.
Many off-road vehicles have been used to steal (or ‘snatch’) mobile phones and valuables from pedestrians. The Police are leading on Operation Prosperity and intensifying the focus on this activity with the support of the Council and other agencies.
A QR code has been created to make it as easy as possible for residents to share footage and images with the Police. The code links directly to a portal that will capture all the content in one place and make it really easy for us to share with partners.
Residents are being asked to use the QR code and to send in video footage of off-road bikes in public spaces so action can be taken.
Recently, Inspector Marston and the North East constituency team were joined by Coventry Council Park Services Manager Mark Yates, and Councillor Pervez Akhtar Deputy Cabinet Member for Policing and Equalities, on patrol around Moat House and Wood End Park.
They discussed ways to reduce antisocial behaviour in open spaces across the city and they also put up posters encouraging the local community to report issues using the new QR code.
Local policing Chief Inspector, David Amos, said: “Operation Prosperity is all about disrupting the antisocial and dangerous use of off-road bikes, quad bikes, and scooters in your local area.
"We want to thank our residents for continuing to share information about when, and where these offences are taking place. This new QR code and portal will make it easier for the community to provide video evidence and help my officers focus on specialist resources into hot spot areas.”
Cllr Pervez Akhtar said: “Off road bikes are a real nuisance, however lots of people - park users and others - see the bikes and assume others will report it when actually it often goes unreported.
“We are encouraging residents to keep sharing information with us as they can really help officers in building evidence by sending images or footage - but without putting themselves in any harm or risk.
“The advantage of photos and film is that the Police and Council officers can identify the bikes and when they are seen in properties or elsewhere, they can be linked to nuisance riding of bikes and then seized and crushed.”
If you spot illegal or dangerous use of off-road bikes in your anywhere in the city, call us on 101 or submit your footage online.