Youths Warned Under Operation Freedom

Three youths from Dover have received formal warnings as Kent Police continues to target the nuisance caused by illegal riding of motor cycles under Operation Freedown.

Two youths were stopped in Old Park Road, Dover on Sunday afternoon (4 March) and one was stopped in Poulton Close, Dover.

The youths were warned under Section 59 of the Police Reform Act, which means if they are caught again, the Police have the power to confiscate their vehicles.

Operation Freedown was set up in response to a number of complaints about nuisance bikes riding without any regard for legitimate bridle way and path users.

Under the Operation, Kent Police works closely with Kent County Council, the National Farmers' Union, The White Cliffs Countryside Project, the National Trust, Forest Enterprise and Dover District Council's Environmental Health Department, to tackle the problem.

Operation Freedown is named after the stretch of land in Ringwould Road, Kingsdown near Deal, which generated a number of complaints several years ago. It became so successful it was adopted by Kent Police as a whole and rolled out across the county.

In addition to the noise nuisance caused by Go Peds, Petrol Scooters, Micro Scooters, Mini Dirt Bikes, Monkey Bikes, Mini Motos and Buzz Boards, they can reach speeds of up to 60mph and there have been fatalities and serious injuries as a result of accidents.

All of these mini bikes are classified as motor vehicles under the Road Traffic Act 1988 and cannot be used on a highway or other place to which the public have access including pavements and parks.

In order to ride a Mini Moto on the road the driver will require a valid driving licence and a compulsory basic training certificate, insurance, road tax, a registration plate, an MOT if the bike is older than three years, an approved exhaust system and a motorcycle helmet.

Insp Paul Ludwig from Dover's Neighbourhood Policing Unit said: "We must consider the safety of those riding mini bikes and the safety and quality of life of other members of the public."

"We will continue to run Operation Freedown and will take action against those caught riding illegally and causing a nuisance" He added.