Crime prevention officers cracking down on nuisance off-road vehicles in Bassetlaw

Crime prevention officers have been working alongside neighbourhood policing teams to crack down on nuisance off-road vehicles and create a safer countryside for residents in Bassetlaw.

Officers have been listening to residents’ concerns over Crookford Ford, which crosses the River Poulter between the villages of Bothamsall and Elkesley, and are putting measures in place to ensure the surrounding area sees a reduction in criminal activity.

Concerns include off-road bikes, quadbikes, and four-by-four vehicles damaging the ford, churning up the countryside by driving illegally, and causing a nuisance for nearby villagers with noise pollution.

Damage to the ford, which has limited use as a legitimate access road due to its remote location, and erosion of the surrounding environment has reached such a level that the natural flow of the river has been diverted.

The crime prevention officers work collaboratively across force departments and engage with partner organisations to advise on the most appropriate and reasonable ways to reduce crime.

They will identify vulnerable areas and make recommendations to introduce security measures.

This can include preventative measures such as moving boulders to block areas or widening ditches to prevent access.

They will also make suggestions around installing trail cams to capture the unloading of off-road bikes on rural lanes and managing the land by selectively felling trees to create a natural barrier in keeping with the native environment – avoiding the need for invasive fencing.

This is in addition to officers from the Bassetlaw Neighbourhood Policing Team stationing patrol cars at either end of the access road to monitor and deter criminal activity.

These options will be considered by the land’s owner, the Forestry Commission, who use the area to grow timber, whilst a long-term solution is established.

Most vehicles are road-legal and compliant, however, a minority of motorists are being targeted through Operation Jericho – the force’s dedicated and ongoing work to tackle off-road vehicle offences across the county.

The details of tracks and areas where off-road bikes can be ridden safely and legally across Nottinghamshire can be found online via the Green Lane Association and there are several legitimate motocross tracks within Nottinghamshire and the local region.

Motorists who ride off-road vehicles on a road must have/do the following:

• Have a valid MOT certificate if the vehicle is more than three years old
• Register quadbikes with the DVLA and ensure the vehicle is taxed and has front and rear number plates
• Have a full care licence or category B1 licence if it was issued before January 1997
• Have a minimum of third-party insurance to drive a quadbike on the road

Crime Prevention Officer Tom Ford, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “The behaviour of a minority of motorists who think they can use the countryside as their personal playground will not be tolerated.

“Officers across Bassetlaw are taking the concerns of residents seriously and are working collaboratively with our crime prevention team and partners to reduce these offences.

“We will take enforcement action, and where appropriate seize vehicles, against those who destroy the countryside, damage the environment, and disturb wildlife, which is simply not acceptable.

“I would encourage those who enjoy riding off-road to ensure they do this safely at approved routes and sites.”