Main responsibilities of the Roads Policing Unit are:
- Provide a police presence on main roads
- Investigation of serious crashes
- Promotion of road safety through education and enforcement
- Tackling criminals' use of the roads
- Maintenance of partnerships with other agencies involved in the regulation of road users
Motorcycle Section
The Motorcycle Section are based at Cleveland and Durham’s specialist operations department at Wynyard Park
- The section comprises of one sergeant and six constables
- The fleet consists of 8 BMW RT1200 motorcycles for day to day patrols and 5 HONDA CRF 450s for off roads use.
Types of work
As well as the day to day routine patrols the section has several areas of expertise and regularly conducts partnership operations with VOSA (Vehicle and Operator Services Agency), HM Customs and Excise in relation to rebated fuel. (Red diesel) and Border Agency in relation to illegal immigrants. Work includes:
- Keeping the roads safe - over 2000 cargoes per week go in and out of the Cleveland area carrying heavy and/or dangerous goods.
- Escorts - Escorts are regularly required for VIPs and visiting supporters for both Middlesbrough and Hartlepool football matches.
- Planned operations - The force receives in excess of 5,000 complaints a year in relation to the illegal use of off road motorcycles and quad bikes. The section regularly take part in operations in all four districts in order to help combat this.
- Bikesafe - A scheme for motorcyclists to have an observed ride, designed to offer help and advice to bikers of all abilities in order to enhance their skills
Ridewell
For the last eleven years “RIDEWELL” has been ran at Preston Park. The event is mainly aimed at motorcyclists and cyclists but over the years it has grown into a family fun day out. Visit the Ridewell website here for more information
The section has a strap line of “WORKING WITH MOTORCYCLISTS FOR MOTORCYCLISTS” and firmly believe that this ethos has contributed to the year on year reduction of motorcyclists who have been killed or seriously injured on our roads.
