Quad bike seized in Bentilee after anti-social riding complaints
Tenants face enforcement action following reports of dangerous quad bike use in the area
A quad bike has been seized and enforcement action taken against tenants in Bentilee following complaints about anti-social riding in the area.
It comes as part of Operation Transom, an ongoing effort to tackle the anti-social use of off-road bikes and other nuisance vehicles across Stoke-on-Trent.
Stoke-on-Trent City Council's Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) officers worked alongside Staffordshire Police after reports of a quad bike being used irresponsibly in the area.
A legal notice has been issued and the quad bike seized following action at an address in Bentilee.
Residents at two further addresses have received warnings and faced tenancy enforcement action in connection with the incidents.
According to the council, the complainant was able to provide photographic and video evidence, which helped officers build the case needed to take action.
Riders were reportedly seen using the vehicle without helmets or appropriate safety clothing, riding carelessly, causing damage to grassed areas and generating noise nuisance, the council said.
There were also reports of children using the vehicle unsupervised, and one incident reportedly showed babies positioned on the front of it.
Councillor Jane Ashworth, leader of Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said the work forms part of a wider approach to supporting safe, family-friendly neighbourhoods across the city.
"Work like this means that people can feel safe in their neighbourhoods and enjoy the places around them without anti-social behaviour affecting their quality of life," she said.
"We will take action where we have evidence that behaviour is causing nuisance or distress.
"We're working with Staffordshire Police to tackle the issues that matter to communities and protect the neighbourhoods and local spaces people value.
"This case also shows why reporting anti-social behaviour is so important. The evidence provided by a resident helped our officers build the case needed to take action.
"We would encourage residents to continue reporting concerns to us so we can build up a picture of what is happening and take appropriate action," she said.
Inspector Will Evans, from the Stoke South local policing team, said officers were working closely with local partners to act on residents' main concerns every day.
"We know vehicle-related anti-social behaviour is one of those issues," he said.
"As part of Op Transom, we're working hard to identify those responsible for these offences and to take the most effective course of action to prevent anti-social behaviour in our communities.
"It's vital that people continue to report off-road bike related incidents and concerns so that we can continue working closely with Stoke-on-Trent City Council to deliver positive outcomes for local people," he said.