Carlisle & Eden Crime and Reduction Partnership (CDRP) have over the last year been working with Cumbria Constabulary and Carlisle City to reduce the number of incidents of anti-social use of motorcycles at several key locations.
Operation Minx is a real joint-agency initiative, with City Council departments supporting the approach through target hardening at key locations installing better gates, fences, natural barriers etc, whilst still allowing the public spaces to be enjoyed by legitimate users, with the Police carrying out enforcement, primarily through seizure of motor cycles.
There were 1178 reported incidents during 2006 and 874 during 2007, a reduction of 26% throughout North Cumbria with the Police seizing 28 motor cycles under Section 165A of the Road Traffic Act during 2007.
A lot of such work has been carried out around Keenan Park between Botcherby and Harraby. In 2006 there were 244 reported incidents in this area and during 2007 there were 90 reported incidents a significant drop of 63%. As a result of this success further improvement work is continuing at other key locations, including Engine Lonning and the Cummersdale Cycle Way with the Carlisle and Eden Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership (CDRP) has committed £5000.00 in funding to this work.
People, specifically parents need to be aware that the use of motor cycles is this manner does constitute an offence, and motor cycles still need to have insurance. Having no insurance is a serious offence and will lead to seizure of the machines.