There are 20 fewer off-road bikes being used in Caerphilly thanks to the return of Back on Track!
Over the last 2 months, officers from the Caerphilly Neighbourhood Policing Team have been tackling the use of off-road bikes in the Caerphilly area. During May, off-road operations were carried out every weekend to tackle off-roaders, coupled with the launch of Back on Track during June, where 20 off road bikes have so far been handed in.
Officers worked with Caerphilly County Borough Children and Young Peoples Partnership as well as Halfords to provide local people with an opportunity to trade in their off-road bike in return for a mountain bike and accessories. Everyone who surrendered their off-road vehicle received a mountain bike, helmet, cable and lock, bicycle lights, puncture repair kit, riding mitts, high visibility arm and leg bands, as well as a three year bike care plan – all for free.
The scheme has now been extended to cover the Bedwas Neighbourhood Policing area, where the illegal use of off-road bikes is an issue that residents often raise at the local PACT (Partnerships and Communities Together) meetings. It is currently a PACT priority for the St. James ward, as well as the Bedwas, Trethomas and Machen ward.
Neighbourhood Policing Inspector for Caerphilly and Bedwas, Paul Staniforth says: “The Back on Track initiative has now been running for 4 weeks and I’m extremely pleased with the response that we’ve have had from the community. Already we’ve taken possession of 20 off-road bikes from across the Caerphilly area. In real terms this means that there are 20 less bikes, that have the potential to be used in an anti-social manner within our local Caerphilly neighbourhood. We’ve seen a significant reduction in calls relating to the anti social use of off-road bikes, by extending the scheme throughout Bedwas I’m positive the scheme will be just as influential.”
Terms and conditions will apply – for example, residents must be able to provide proof of address for Aber Valley, Morgan Jones, Penyrheol, St Martins, Bedwas, Trethomas, Machen (BTM), Llanbradach or St James wards in Caerphilly and Bedwas and the vehicle must be in working order. Anyone wanting to take part in the amnesty must be over the age of 18, or be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Please pop into Caerphilly or Bedwas Police station for a full list of the terms and conditions.
