Off-road Bikes (Police Powers)

I beg to move,

That leave be given to bring in a Bill to give police powers to enter a private dwelling for the purpose of seizing an off-road bike that has been driven in an anti-social way or without insurance; and for connected purposes.

Members across the House will be starkly aware of the menace of off-road bikes being driven in a dangerous and antisocial way, whether through parks, on pavements or in other public spaces, causing not just a nuisance, but in some cases damage and injury. I am introducing the Bill following conversations with local police in my constituency of North Durham. They have told me that there is a loophole in legislation around their power to seize these off-road vehicles. Off-road bikes include a range of vehicles, such as quad bikes and motorbikes. Electric motorbikes in particular have become increasingly popular throughout County Durham, especially in rural areas. I am sure, from talking to colleagues, that that is replicated in other parts of the country.

Last week, it was reported that crimes involving e-bikes and e-scooters have soared by more than 730% in the past five years. Durham constabulary uses officers on similar bikes to respond to reports, and uses drones to identify suspects. I pay tribute to them for taking those steps to track down the perpetrators of these crimes. Frustratingly, while the location of bikes being driven illegally may be known to the police, the bikes cannot always be seized. That is why I am introducing this Bill.

The Road Traffic Act 1988 allows the police to seize vehicles being driven without insurance. In many cases, vehicles being driven antisocially are not insured. More prevalent forms of road-related antisocial behaviour can be dealt with under the Police Reform Act 2002, which creates the offence of vehicles being used in a manner that causes alarm, distress or annoyance. The Act also gives police the power to seize vehicles used in that way. Under both Acts, the police can seize vehicles from any premises that they have reasonable grounds for believing the vehicle to be on, but not from private dwellings, except for garages, other structures or land belonging to a dwelling.

The Bill I am introducing would amend the Road Traffic Act to remove the prohibition on the police seizing from a private dwelling a vehicle that has been driven without insurance. The Bill would also amend the 2002 Act to remove the prohibition on the police seizing from a private dwelling a vehicle that has been driven dangerously or in a way that

“is causing, or is likely to cause, alarm, distress or annoyance to members of the public”.

I recognise that the right to enter premises, particularly a private dwelling, is an intrusive power, and it must be subject to rigorous legal safeguards and used proportionately, but while finding the right balance will be challenging, I do not believe that the problem is insurmountable. My predecessor and I have had many constituents raise this issue, and Members from all parts of the House have also had the issue repeatedly raised by constituents. It is repeatedly raised with me on doorsteps across North Durham, and I know it will be familiar to colleagues across the House.

Tackling antisocial behaviour was a key pledge in this Government’s manifesto at the general election, and I know that the Government take it seriously. I welcome the fact that they intend to legislate, through the upcoming crime and policing Bill, to give police the powers that they need to quickly destroy off-road bikes that are seized, but I hope that consideration will be given to making it easier for the police to seize those vehicles in the first place, which is what this private Member’s Bill seeks to do.

The illegal, dangerous and antisocial use of off-road bikes has been intimidating local people for far too long, and we must give the police the powers that they need to properly tackle it.

That Luke Akehurst, Shaun Davies, Graeme Downie, Michelle Welsh, Yuan Yang, Adam Jogee, Dave Robertson, Jo Platt, Jodie Gosling, Will Stone, Dr Allison Gardner and Antonia Bance present the Bill.

Luke Akehurst accordingly presented the Bill.