Operation Thorn

Over the summer period of 2009 the sub district of Redcar has seen an increase in anti-social behaviour reports involving off-road motorcycles.  As a result of this Operation Thorn was set up to tackle this issue.  The illegal use of these off-road motorcycles is a danger to other road users and pedestrians alike.  The users of these off-road motorcycles have no regard to the Road Traffic Act or concern for their own personal safety or pillion passengers.  More often than not, no protective equipment is worn by those using the motorcyles.  The intention of the operation is to identify the people using the off-road motorcycles and bring these offenders to justice.  The Redcar Neighbourhood Policing Team will be woking in partnership with Registered Social Landlords to address any tenancy breaches through the misuse of vehicles.  We will also be providing reassurance to local residents through proactive action to combat this anti-social behaviour.  Operation Thorn will be utilising the Cleveland Police Helicopter and the Off-Road Motorcycle Section to trace and track offenders, to where they either abandon or house the off-road motorcycles.  These off-road motorcycles will then be seized under police powers and the offenders reported or arrested for offences disclosed.