Illegal off-road bikers are leaving Hartlepool residents living in fear, residents say as police pledge crackdown

Officers have pledged to continue Operation Endurance.

That’s the message from resident, who is calling on Cleveland Police to step up Operation Endurance, which has seen roads policing officers take to Hartlepool’s streets on patrol.

New warning signs, put up under Section 34 of the Road Traffic Act, have also been displayed across town.

They warn those who use off-road motorbikes and quad bikes illegally that their vehicles can be disposed of by police without any prior warning.

Hartepool's police station on Avenue Road.

The man, who does not want to be named but has lived in Hartlepool for three years, told the Mail: “The regular appearance of quad bikes has been disturbing for other residents, creating a feeling of insecurity - and it is only a matter of time before someone gets seriously hurt especially when used in daylight on Old Cemetery Road.

“Their disregard for people living in the area is non existent and they are quite happy to destroy fencing as necessary.”

Along with other residents, the man has been keeping a log since August about which vehicles have been used where and when.

The information has been passed to the force – with the man calling for officers to act on what has been reported so far.

Roads Policing Officers and staff and officers from Hartlepool's Neighbourhood Team.

Inspector Matt Reeves, from Hartlepool Community Safety Team, said: “We are continuing to carry out Operation Endurance, which looks at tackling illegal off-road bikes and identifying the owners of these vehicles.

“Further multi-agency operations will be carried out, with officers looking to recover bikes and prosecute riders where possible.

“The team will also make full use of the new Cleveland Police drone and will also be working closely with housing providers to look at tenancy agreements for anyone storing such vehicles.

“Again, we would welcome any information that anyone has regarding where such bikes may be being kept.

Inspector Reeves called on the public to do their part in passing on any information they have and reiterated the importance of the “community input”, which could lead to them recovering more bikes.

*Contact Cleveland Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.