Plans to stamp out nuisance motorcycle riders in South Tyneside have taken a step forward this week after councillors approved cash for new barriers and signs.
Bike-related antisocial behaviour is often raised at council meetings in the borough, with the start of spring and ‘light nights’ traditionally seeing spikes in complaints.
Last year Councillor John McCabe warned the problem had the potential to kill someone if action wasn’t taken.
On Monday (January 13), the Hebburn Community Area Forum agreed to spend £12,756 on measures to deter offenders at a hotspot near Monkton Village.
Works include ‘no motorbike’ signs and new barriers at Monkton Lane and Campbell Park Road, which bridges the Hebburn South and Monkton wards.
The measures, a joint project between South Tyneside Council and Northumbria Police , are expected to be put in place later this year.
And the barriers and signs could also be complimented by the use of mobile CCTV.
Although the forum has invested funds towards a redeployable camera in the past, moving it to a new site is subject to a lengthy council process.
This includes providing evidence around the “necessity” and “proportionality” of camera use.
At this week’s meeting, Coun McCabe, who represents Hebburn South ward, pushed for answers on the timescale for getting the camera up and running at the crime hotspot.
CCTV systems coordinator Scott Bentley said the changes were on the council’s “to do list” but could take up to six weeks.
“We’re just trying to tie up the loose ends with the police in terms of having an appropriately robust evidence base for putting that camera in,” he said.
“That’s primarily antisocial behaviour and vehicle related, we need to put something together explaining how big the problem is.
“This includes the number of incidents over a period of time, trying other things such as putting the signage in and working with the countryside officer in terms of barriers.
“That side of things we have bottomed out, we’re just trying to tie up the loose ends with the police with their data.”
If you are affected by motorcycle nuisance, call Northumbria Police on 101.
For more information, see here .
