Warning to gangs ignoring Covid-19 lockdown in Wolverhampton
Police in Wolverhampton have issued a strict warning to cyclists after gangs of riders were reported to be ignoring the Covid-19 lockdown and congregating on a large housing estate in the city.
Concerned residents in Ashmore Park, Wednesfield, said youngsters on bikes, mopeds and scramblers had been repeatedly gathering to ride around the estate – displaying a blatant disregard for recommendations to stay home.
Now local police have said that any groups of cyclists caught flouting the government’s restrictions will have their bikes “seized and crushed”.
Sergeant Robert Dalton, from Wednesfield Police, said: “We have carried out regular patrols alongside our traffic unit colleagues in response to concerns over nuisance off-road bikes.
“These patrols will continue and anyone who rides in a dangerous or anti-social manner will be prosecuted, with the bikes seized and crushed.
"Such behaviour will not be tolerated, especially while government restrictions are in place.”
The matter was raised with police by Wednesfield Councillor Phil Bateman, who said he had received a series of complaints from local homeowners.
He said: “I had numerous residents contacting me, all very annoyed, some very angry. The weather has been fine lately, but this has proved a nightmare with youths out riding mopeds and scramblers, according to witnesses.
“There has been significant anger raised at the guys who are flouting the law, having no care for the coronavirus laws relating to staying at home.
“There has also been incidents of vandalism springing up around the Ashmore Park shops and other sites on the estate.
“I despair, and this is just yet another issue that has raised its head. It’s not good news and it drags the area we live in down.
"If anyone sees this happening again, then I would urge them to please tell the police or inform me.”
