Police to use off-road motorbikes

Police have the power to seize and destroy mini bikes

Officers in south Edinburgh have unveiled new off-road motorcycles as the latest weapons against "irresponsible" motorcycle riders.

Specially trained officers will tackle the illegal riding of mini-motos and motorbikes which often happens in green areas inaccessible to patrol cars.

The move is to be rolled out across the city following more training.

Edinburgh Community Safety Partnership and South Edinburgh Partnership have funded the project.

Donald Anderson, Kaimes councillor and chairman of the South Edinburgh Partnership, said: "The residents of South Edinburgh have suffered particularly badly from the ongoing antics of those who ride mini-motos and motorbikes irresponsibly and without regard for the safety of others.

"I am delighted that it has been possible to help fund these two new off-road bikes and I am sure the police will find them highly useful."

Misuse of mini-motos

Ch Insp Doug Forsyth, of Lothian and Borders Police, said: "Thanks to partnership funding we now have the option of tackling this problem at a local level and showing the minority who choose to ride their bikes illegally and irresponsibly that this will not be tolerated.

"The initiative will be welcomed by those members of the public whose lives are being put in danger by such behaviour."

Councillor Sheila Gilmore, Edinburgh Council community safety and housing leader and chairwoman of the Edinburgh Community Safety Partnership, said: "Off-road motorbikes will be an extremely valuable tool to help the police tackle the antisocial and indeed illegal misuse of mini-motos and motorbikes."