POLICE are still receiving reports of loud motorbike noises from around the Reading borough.

Since the launch of Reading Borough Council’s anti-social behaviour App Reportable in July 2021, local officers had received 38 reports of motorbike nuisance up to September 13.

Reports received were shared with the police, and collectively the force was able to identify some of the problematic riders across the borough.

Incidents of motorbike nuisance were reported in McIlroy’s Park, Lyndhurst Road, Rodway Road in Tilehurst and Courage Park, Coley.

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A statement issued by Liz Herbert, community policing chief for Reading, in September, read: “Motorbike nuisance and off-road motorbike nuisance can be dangerous and annoying for local residents.

“Reading Borough Council and Thames Valley Police are committed to tackling this type of nuisance but rely on residents to report it when it occurs.”

But Ms Herbert said local authorities were still getting reports of motorbike nuisance on multiple roads.

She said: “We have received a number of reports highlighting motorbike nuisance in the following locations: Courage Park, Norcot Road, Zinzan Street, Eldon Street, Rodway Road and Edenham Crescent.

“Reading Borough Council’s anti-social behaviour (ASB) team and the police continue to work in partnership to tackle motorbike nuisance and we are encouraging you to continue to report incidents via the ASB app.

“This ‘real time’ information is vital in helping us to build up an intelligence picture and identify areas where we need to take action.

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“If you are experiencing this problem or have information that could help: Contact the ASB Team on (0118) 9373787 or via ASB.Team@reading.gov.uk alternatively download and use the Reportable app or contact the Police on (101) Non-Emergency number or report online www.thamesvalley.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/.”

What can the Police do?

Under Section 59 of the Police Reform Act 2002, police have the powers to seize motorbikes, motorised scooters, mini motorbikes or similar forms of motorised transport that are used to cause a nuisance in neighbourhoods.

If a vehicle is being driven in a manner causing harassment, alarm, distress or annoyance on land without permission or without due care and attention, the Police can:

Order a person to stop driving the vehicle

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Seize and remove the vehicle

To ride a bike on the road it must be especially built for road use. The rider would have to be over 16 and will need registration documents, MOT, road tax, insurance, a licence and an approved crash helmet.

What can the Council do?

If you live in social housing, then your tenancy could be at risk if someone in your household is involved in anti-social behaviour associated with motorbike nuisance.

Misusing vehicles off-road

While quad bikes, three-wheeled bikes, trail bikes and some other two-wheeled vehicles are built for off-road use, it is against the law to ride them in public parks or on publicly owned land without permission from the local authority.

As with unlicensed powered vehicles, these can only be used on private roads or land with the road or landowner’s permission.