Off-road motorcyclists targeted in Glyn Ceiriog following increase in reports of anti-social riding
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Off-road motorcyclists were targeted by officers in the Glyn Ceiriog area over the weekend following reports of bikes being ridden dangerously and illegally.
Operation Blue Takeoff, which tackles the illegal use of off-road bikes, took place on Saturday, March 4th and Sunday, March 5th.
It saw Wrexham Rural officers working with the Intercept Team, Drone Unit, the off-road motorcycle team and the local council to tackle increasing reports of anti-social riding in the valley.
It comes as the lack of maintenance on lanes in the area over the years has created perfect conditions for off-road motorbikes, which have been used as a scrambling track, specifically a route that has been temporarily restricted for traffic by the council from Pentre Llanarmon Dyffryn Ceiriog to Pen Bwlch Llandrillo.
As a result, some residents have reported they no longer feel safe walking, horse riding or cycling in the area.
A drone invisible to those on the ground was deployed as part of the operation to target those driving dangerously and any offenders driving bikes without an MOT, insurance or a valid licence.
In total, officers carried out:
- More than 20 motorcycle stop checks.
- Community engagement with over 100 trial bikers, offering advice around road safety.
PCSO Gareth Jones said: “The Ceiriog Valley has for so long had issues with anti-social driving, with trail bikes and 4x4 use in the area along the tracks.
“It has caused a lot of distribution for locals and tourists, and in recent years, the number of incidents reported in the area have been increasing.
“We do patrol the area and engage with the community as much as we can, but of course, it is impossible to be there 24 hours a day, especially given the isolated nature of where these incidents occur.
“Operation Takeoff was a great opportunity for us to engage with several legitimate organised groups to explain the concerns of residents and to highlight the closure of the wayfarer. We also carried out more than 20 stop checks on off-road bikes, which I am pleased to report were all without any issues.
“We urge anyone who witnesses anti-social driving in the area to contact officers of 101, or via the web chat.”
Wrexham Rural Inspector Matt Subacchi added: “Gareth has been a fantastic officer for the Glyn Ceiriog area, and without him, we wouldn’t have been able to run this operation.
“We continue to require information and reports from the public to ensure we have up to date information, descriptions, and locations of where off-road bikes are being used and are causing a nuisance, and to enable us to carry out further operations like this.
“Those who ride motorbikes in an antisocial manner and in contravention of the rules will be dealt with robustly.”