A ‘CONSTANT’ battle against illegal off-road bikers blighting Barnsley’s countryside could result in tenancies being ripped up by Berneslai Homes under new plans to clamp down on the crime.
Police, who say they have been seizing bikes across the town, are working alongside the social housing provider as many bikers have been found to be living in Berneslai Homes’ properties.
The Chronicle can reveal that warning letters are being sent out to tenants responsible while a no-nonsense stance - which could see eviction notices be issued - is being taken due to the severity of the long-running issues facing police.
It’s hoped the zero tolerance approach will lead parents of youngsters involved to take responsibility before enforcement action is taken against them.
Jayne Ambrose, antisocial behaviour officer for Berneslai Homes, said: “Tenancy warnings have been issued and it’s not only a police matter now.
“It’s a multi-agency approach and it’s something we can escalate.”
Police say fields - particularly in areas such as Grimethorpe and Brierley - are being used as tracks by bikers and told the Chronicle a ‘phenomenal amount’ of money has been spent by farmers in a bid to prevent access.
Sgt Richard Wilson, the lead for off-road operations in Barnsley, described the ongoing issues as ‘frustrating’.
“That’s the case for residents and the police,” he added. “There’s no overnight fix for this and we accept that, but we’re not powerless and we have more powers now.
“A phenomenal amount of money has been spent by farmers, who are often having to pick up the pieces as they’re being targeted by bikers. Damage to fencing has been done as a result and lots are affected.
“We’re expecting an increase in reports as the weather gets better but we’re shouting as loud as we can and everyone’s on the same page.
“There’s been success with the seizing of bikes and a lot of good work done, particularly on the West Yorkshire border, as it’s an exposed area.”
Since January, police have been providing daily coverage with the help of two drones in communities such as Brierley, an area hit hard due to its bordering countryside which separates West and South Yorkshire Police’s patches.
More drone flights in other hotspot areas for antisocial riding have been planned in the coming weeks as part of Operation Matrix, which last year seized 96 illegal bikes and reported more than 40 people on summons.
“The location of many hotspots often means the bikers cross over into West Yorkshire, so we’re working alongside officers in border communities,” Sgt Wilson said.
“We have not had the coverage we would like but we’re denting the problem and increasing the flow of information between the two forces, and residents affected.
“We need to encourage people to continue to report bikers, albeit without a risk to them, but photos, videos and descriptions of where they’re riding, where they’re being stored and the colour schemes of bikes help us a lot.”
