Your Part in Combating this Menace

Using motorcycles of any type illegally is anti-social, annoying and can be fatal. It is against the law and will not be tolerated in Thurrock.

If you witness this type of behaviour or have any information on who is responsible - contact Essex Police on 01375-391212.

To discuss non-urgent occurrences, or for advice or support - contact the ASB Team on 01708-891394.

Staying Legal

• Driving licence A Driving Licence is needed to ride a motorcycle of any type over 49cc. A person cannot apply for, or hold a licence until they are at least 17 years old.
• Insurance A motorcycle of any type must have insurance to be in a public place. It does not matter if it being ridden or pushed.
• MOT An MOT is needed for motorcycles of any type aged over three years. This applies if the motorcycle is being ridden or pushed.
• Tax and Registration A motorcycle of any type must have a registration number. It must also have a valid tax disc, even if it is being pushed.
• Being Street Legal To be used on a road, motorcycles of any type must have all the usual equipment fitted and working, including lights, brakes and horn. Again this applies even if it is pushed.

The Law is Clear

Police Officers and Police Community Support Officers have increased powers to deal with people using motor vehicles (including motorcycles of any type) in an anti-social manner either on or off the road. Any person riding a motorcycle inappropriately will be issued with a warning, which is recorded on the Police National Computer (PNC). If the same person is caught riding any motorcycle in an inappropriate manner again, the bike (even if it is not the same one) will be seized and crushed. In addition, if the person found riding or allowing a bike to be ridden is a council tenant, then action can be taken against their tenancy. There is a real risk of tenants loosing their homes.

A Motor Vehicle Is

Off-road scramble bikes, go-peds, mini-motos and almost any other type of bike other than bicycles are motor vehicles.

A Road Is

Footpaths and alleyways as well as the main carriageway all form part of a road. Pushing a motorcycle along any of these means it is on the road.

Public Places

Riders of motorcycles of any type using them on land such as parks, footpaths and fields without permission commit criminal offences. In addition noise nuisance offences are also committed.

Private Places

Without the landowner's permission, a person commits the offence of driving a motor vehicle on land other than a road. Noise nuisance offences also apply on private land.

Noise Nuisance

Thurrock Council Environmental Department has powers under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 to take action and this could include prosecution.

Damage

People aged over 10 years commit the offence of Criminal Damage and can be arrested. Offenders may be charged and dealt with in a criminal court. In addition, owners of damaged land for example a school playing field damaged by ruts left behind by motorcycles may also take sue offenders in the civil court.

Supplying Petrol

Petrol must not be supplied to a person under the age of 16 years and even then must be supplied in a suitable container.