Illegal off-road bikers warning at Angus caravan parks

by Damien Sharkov
Angus road police have been on constant alert in recent weeks, as reports of dangerous incidents involving mini, midi and off road bikes, flood in from local residents.
Lochside Caravan Park in Forfar and Victoria Park in Arbroath are being investigated by police, amidst complaints by locals of vandalism, at the hands of unregistered and unlicensed motorcyclists.
A police spokesperson was quick to give a word of warning to the offenders, saying: “Police Scotland makes full use of anti-social and road traffic legislation to seize motorcycles that are being used illegally.
“Many of those seized are subsequently dismantled and crushed.”
Mini and midi motorcycles are not legal for use on pavements, grass verges or central reservations and anybody doing so is liable for prosecution.
They can only be used on private land with the owner’s consent. Neither Victoria Park nor Lochside Caravan Park has permitted dirt bike enthusiasts to race on their premises.
“Stolen bikes are involved in many of the illegal or anti-social incidents reported to police in Tayside” the police spokesman added, making them more difficult to track and subsequently bring to justice.
Illegal off-road biking is thought not only to endanger those who would rather enjoy the likes of Lochside Caravan Park appropriately and in peace, but also the illegal bikers themselves as the police claim that “those involved often don’t wear appropriate headgear and protective equipment”.
Authorities encourage anyone with information on where motorbikes are being used illegally or stored, or who is using them, to call police on 101, or call the charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.