Hart

Illegal Use of Off-Road Bikes, E-Scooters, E-Bikes and Criminal Use of the Road Network

The illegal use of off-road bikes, e-scooters, e-bikes, and the wider criminal use of the road network continues to be a significant concern raised by residents and partner agencies across Hart Ward and the surrounding rural communities. Community feedback highlights the impact these vehicles have on public safety, quality of life, and perceptions of safety within local neighbourhoods. Reports of nuisance riding, dangerous driving, excessive speed, riding on footpaths and public open spaces, and the use of vehicles to facilitate criminality remain key issues that residents want Cleveland Police to address.
This issue is particularly relevant within Hart Ward due to its geographical position and its links to neighbouring rural wards and surrounding areas. Offenders frequently move across ward boundaries, utilising interconnected road networks, bridleways, footpaths, open countryside, parks, and public rights of way to evade detection and enforcement. Residents have consistently highlighted concerns regarding the mobility of offenders and the impact these vehicles have across multiple communities, recognising that the problem is not confined to a single location. As a result, our response will continue to adopt a multi-agency and cross-boundary approach, ensuring enforcement and prevention activity is coordinated, intelligence-led, and focused on those causing the greatest harm.
These vehicles pose significant risks to pedestrians, cyclists, motorists, and riders themselves. In addition to causing alarm and distress within local communities, they are often linked to wider criminality, including anti-social behaviour, drug-related activity, theft, and the movement of offenders seeking to avoid detection. Residents have repeatedly identified the need for robust action against individuals whose reckless behaviour puts others at risk and undermines confidence within the community.
A dedicated problem-solving plan is in place to drive activity and coordinate our response to this priority. Through targeted policing operations, intelligence-led patrols, and close partnership working, positive progress has already been made in disrupting offenders and reducing incidents. Working alongside local authority teams, landowners, and other partner agencies, a range of environmental improvements have been introduced at identified hotspot locations to restrict access for illegal vehicles. Measures including barriers, access controls, pathway alterations, and other crime prevention initiatives have helped reduce opportunities for offending and contributed to a reduction in reported incidents.
Education remains an important element of our approach. Neighbourhood officers will continue to work with schools, youth organisations, and community groups to raise awareness of the legal restrictions surrounding e-scooters and e-bikes, as well as the
potential consequences of unlawful use, including injury, prosecution, vehicle seizure, and the impact on local communities. Early intervention remains vital in preventing future offending and promoting responsible behaviour.
Community intelligence continues to play a crucial role in tackling this issue. Information provided by residents assists officers in identifying offenders, locating vehicles being stored or used unlawfully, and directing resources to the areas of greatest concern. Where vehicles are identified and seized, they can be permanently removed from circulation, reducing repeat offending and preventing further harm.
Our commitment to enforcement remains strong. Cleveland Police will continue to proactively target individuals involved in the illegal use of off-road bikes, e-scooters, and e-bikes, as well as those using the road network to facilitate criminal activity. Through a combination of enforcement, education, environmental improvements, community engagement, and the ongoing delivery of the problem-solving plan, we will work to reduce harm, improve public safety, and ensure Hart Ward and the surrounding rural communities remain safe places to live, work, and visit.

Youth-Related Anti-Social Behaviour

Youth-related anti-social behaviour (ASB) continues to be a concern raised by residents, businesses, and community partners across Hart Ward. While the vast majority of young people make a positive contribution to their communities, incidents involving nuisance behaviour, disorder, littering, criminal damage, underage drinking, and groups gathering in public spaces can have a significant impact on residents’ quality of life and feelings of safety. Through ongoing engagement with the community, youth-related ASB has been identified as a priority issue that Cleveland Police and partner agencies will continue to address.
Particular concerns have been highlighted in and around the Aclom Street area, where residents have reported incidents of young people congregating and engaging in behaviour that causes nuisance, distress, or intimidation. Reports of excessive noise, littering, damage to property, and groups gathering in public spaces have generated
concern amongst local residents and have affected confidence within the local community. As the summer holiday period approaches, residents have expressed concerns that these issues may increase as more young people spend time outdoors throughout the day and evening.
Cleveland Police recognises the impact that anti-social behaviour can have on communities and will continue to work proactively to address these concerns. Dedicated neighbourhood officers will carry out high-visibility patrols in identified hotspot locations, including the Aclom Street area and surrounding streets, to provide reassurance, engage with young people, and address issues before they escalate. Patrol activity will be directed by community feedback, intelligence, and reported incidents to ensure resources are focused where they are needed most.
A problem-solving approach will be adopted to understand the underlying causes of youth-related anti-social behaviour and identify long-term solutions. Working closely with local authority departments, housing providers, schools, youth services, and community organisations, Cleveland Police will seek to reduce opportunities for anti-social behaviour whilst supporting initiatives that encourage positive engagement and community involvement.
Education and early intervention remain central to our response. By working alongside schools, youth organisations, and partner agencies, we will continue to promote responsible behaviour, increase awareness of the consequences of anti-social behaviour, and encourage young people to make positive choices. Access to diversionary activities, support services, and community programmes can play a vital role in reducing offending and preventing repeat incidents.
Whilst engagement and prevention remain our preferred approach, appropriate enforcement action will be taken where necessary against individuals involved in persistent anti-social behaviour or criminal offences. This may include the use of anti-social behaviour powers, partnership interventions, and where appropriate, criminal investigations.
Community support remains essential in tackling this issue. We encourage residents to continue reporting incidents and sharing information with police and partner agencies, as this helps identify emerging trends, direct patrols, and develop effective responses. Through strong partnership working, proactive policing, and ongoing engagement with local communities, we will continue to address youth-related anti-social behaviour, improve public confidence, and help ensure Hart Ward remains a safe, welcoming, and enjoyable place to live, work, and visit.

Tackling Rural Crime and Protecting Our Rural Communities

and businesses across Elwick, Dalton Piercy, and Hart Village. Due to the isolated nature of these communities, offences such as theft, criminal damage, trespassing, fly-tipping, off-road bike nuisance, and suspicious activity can have a considerable impact on both livelihoods and the sense of safety felt by those living and working in rural areas. Through ongoing community engagement, local farm owners and rural residents have identified rural crime as a key priority and one which Cleveland Police will continue to proactively address.
Our priority is to prevent crime, protect rural businesses and communities, and target those responsible for causing harm. We recognise that rural areas can be attractive targets for travelling criminals who seek to exploit remote locations to commit offences.
Through Operation Checkpoint and close collaboration with neighbouring police forces and partner agencies, we will continue to identify, disrupt, and deter offenders operating across force boundaries. Sharing intelligence and working collectively strengthens our ability to prevent crime and respond quickly to emerging threats.
Strong engagement with the rural community remains central to our approach. We continue to attend and support regular rural crime meetings, providing opportunities for farmers, landowners, residents, and partners to raise concerns, share information, and influence policing priorities. These meetings help us understand local issues, identify crime trends, and ensure that our resources are focused where they are needed most.
The anti-social use of off-road bikes remains a particular concern for many rural residents. These vehicles can cause significant damage to farmland, disturb livestock, damage crops, and create safety risks for walkers, horse riders, and local communities. Working alongside specialist teams, including our drone unit, we will continue to carry out targeted patrols and enforcement activity in identified hotspot locations. Utilising technology and intelligence-led policing enables us to cover large rural areas effectively and identify those responsible.
Alongside enforcement, we continue to provide crime prevention advice and support to farms and rural businesses, helping them reduce opportunities for offending and protect valuable equipment, livestock, and property.
Through proactive policing, community engagement, intelligence-sharing, and strong partnership working, Cleveland Police remains committed to reducing rural crime, tackling off-road bike nuisance, and ensuring that residents of Elwick, Dalton Piercy, and Hart Village feel safe, supported, and confident within their rural communities.