'Nuisance' motorbikes on Cannock Chase targeted by police

Officers launched a 'series of operations' after concerned residents spotted the anti-social behaviour earlier this week.

Despite failing to catch the culprits, officers have pledged to continue their battle against the unruly riders by setting their sights on hotspots in the district.

Duncan Rollo, partnerships manager at Cannock Chase local policing team, said: “Neighbourhood officers have carried out a high visibility operation following previous reports of motorcycle related anti-social behaviour at Cannock Chase.

"The primary aim was to act as a deterrent and provide public reassurance. During the operation officers responded to reports from members of the public about motorbikes using the trails close to their location.

"Although no bikes were seized we gathered some very useful intelligence.

"We are now working closely with our colleagues at the Central Motorway Police Group and looking at taking more robust action to tackle this problem.

"From a local policing perspective we will continue to carry out operations by targeting hotspots and addresses where we believe bikes are being stored."

Reports of motorbikes on Cannock Chase were received by police, prompting the first operation to be launched on Sunday and a second the following day.

Councillor Alan Pearson - chairman of Cannock Chase council's housing, crime and partnerships scrutiny committee - has now warned motorbikes will be confiscated from perpetrators if caught.

He went on to say culprits need to find an 'appropriate' place to ride before any injuries are caused by their anti-social behaviour.

The Labour councillor, who represents Hednesford North ward, said: "We do seem to have it going on more often because the motorcyclists are very hard to catch, police have to be on a bike to catch them.

"It's not just the noise, it's the potential of hitting someone walking on the Chase or even on push bikes. I don't know why people think it's alright to go riding on it with high-speed bikes.

"It's something I'm totally against and something that residents are too. It is serious. The use of motorbikes across the Chase is just ludicrous."

Tweeting on Monday, Cannock Police revealed it had received reports of the motorcycle-related activity and said: "Following reports of nuisance motorbikes on Cannock Chase, officers are running a series of operations to disrupt this behaviour, targeting hotspots and repeat locations .

"The first operation was [on Sunday] with officers out all morning in the Hednesford Hills area."