Camera ploy on off-road bikers

Cameras are being used to record off-road bikers terrorising people living near a Black Country park.

Footage may be used in court as evidence to get anti-social behaviour orders for yobs. Officers also use cycles to chase rogue bikers.

Police launched Operation Snowberry after complaints from people living near George Rose Park, off Herberts Park Road, and Wolverhampton Street, Darlaston.

They seized three mini-motorbikes after seeing them ridden dangerously around the park.

Sgt Darren Finlan, of Moxley and Rough Hay neighbourhood team, said: "After listening to the local community's needs, we reviewed the intelligence relating to anti-social behaviour in George Rose Park.

"Since the operation has begun we have seen a huge decline in calls received to the police and have made significant arrests. We will continue to deal with issues that impact in the heart of the community in a thorough and robust way."

In Wolverhampton, police used a seized bike to chase tearaways. Officers used a powerful KTM bike seized from a teenager racing around The Scotlands estate. The problem may end if controversial plans to sell large chunks of the 85-year-old George Rose Park park go ahead.

The council plans to hand over about half of the park to make way for Darlaston Academy, which will replace Darlaston Community Science College from September, but can only provide a third of the land required for the revamp.