Police action to seize and crush dangerous off-road bikes from Walsall area where young girl was killed
An operation to seize and crush dangerous off road bikes from a Walsall area where a little girl was killed has been welcomed.
Pete Smith, independent councillor for the Blakenall ward, said the removal of 10 illegal motorbikes from the estate was good news which has come as a result of people saying "enough is enough".
The community was left heartbroken in July when seven-year-old Katniss Seleznev was knocked down and killed in Turnstone Road.
A 14-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving after the incident and released while enquiries continued.
Earlier this month, West Midlands Police ran Operation Advance across the borough which including the seizure of bikes which were later crushed.
Councillor Smith said more than 40 had been taken off the streets since January, including at least 10 from Blakenall.
He said: “I think this is the sort of news local folk want to hear, especially given the tragic death of a young girl in Turnstone Road still raw in the minds of our local community.
“I am pleased this operation is proving very successful and I think particular credit should go to our local police inspector Pete Poolton and Councillor Garry Perry, portfolio holder for resilient communities.
“This is a successful example of the police and council working together.
“Above all credit should go to members of our local community who said ‘enough is enough’ and have been increasingly willing and determined to report matters when they deem that a crime is being committed.
“Most of the recently seized so called off road bikes have been unroadworthy and hence a danger to both the rider and the general public.
“I am pleased to hear that the next one to be seized will be ‘crushed to the size of a square’ and returned to the parents or guardians of the offender, if a juvenile.
“There is now evidence that both the Police and the Council are determined to rid our local streets and open spaces of these dangerous and menacing illegal bikes, more often than not ridden by juveniles.”
