Perpetrators of anti-social driving face having their cars, e-scooters or off-road bikes seized and destroyed after 48 hours under stronger powers proposed by the UK Government. Currently, police must wait 14 days before being able to dispose of a vehicle, making it easier for offenders to reclaim their vehicles and with a limited deterrent to repeat offending.
The measures to fast-track the disposal of vehicles comes alongside additional proposals to give police stronger powers to seize any vehicles involved in anti-social behaviour, with officers no longer required to issue a warning before seizing them.
Communities across Swansea have been plagued by people riding offroad bikes in an antisocial way.
Police say they have received an “increase in calls regarding off-road bikes in and around the Loughor and Pontarddulais areas in recent weeks”.
Just last week, Swansea Bay News reported photos taken by a local resident that showed five offroad motorbikes being driven through Loughor, with riders – some of which are wearing balaclavas rather than helmets – pulling wheelies and driving in a dangerous manner.
Residents say this is a “massive problem” and that offroad bikes “ride on pavements, footpaths, play areas and roads and have no regards for their own or others safety.”
Gower MP, Tonia Antoniazzi says she supports the UK Government’s crackdown.
Ms Antioniazzi said: “It’s sad that it’s come to this, but people have the right to feel safe in their streets. If off-road bikes and scooters are being deliberately driven in residential roads to cause a nuisance and intimidate people tough action is needed. I welcome what the government is doing to support the police to tackle antisocial behaviour and prevent reoffending”
South Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Emma Wools said: “These new powers send a clear message to would-be offenders and local communities in Wales: swift justice will be delivered and anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated.
“Sales of e-scooters and off-road bikes have rapidly increased, so today is an important step in tackling more serious crime in Wales, with the vehicles often used to facilitate drug dealing, organised acquisitive crime and serious violence.”
