Bikers tear around garden dedicated to teen killed by joyriders

West Midlands Police has seized two bikes used to run riot on Donna Cooper Memorial Garden in Pelsall.

They have also issued warnings to people about driving them illegally with no licence or insurance.

Talks are now underway about limiting access to nuisance bikers on the four-acre plot off Goscote Lane.

The garden was named after 13-year-old Donna Cooper who was killed in 1993 after being run over outside her home on Pelsall Road, Rushall by the driver of a stolen car.

Her mother Jenny Cooper fought a long battle to secure the project and finally saw it opened in 1997.

She said at the time the garden was integral to preserving Donna's memory following the closure of her two previous schools in the area.

Councillor Marco Longhi, who represents Pelsall, said: "The garden was created specifically for Donna Cooper and it is a focal point for her family and friends where they thought they could go an pay their respects.

"It was clearly put there to mark a sad and tragic situation and also to celebrate someone's life.

"The fact that it's joyriders disturbing the peace does bring that extra sadness and anger.

"It has been a problem for years but it seems to have gotten worse lately.

"I feel terribly frustrated more cannot be done about this."

Vanessa Croft, area manager on Walsall Council for Pelsall, outlined the action being taken to address the problem.

She said: "A site visit has taken place with partners to gauge the best options for limiting access by off road bikes to the site.

"Our Neighbourhood Police have held a residents' meeting and collated intelligence which has led to two bikes being seized and a number of families warned that if they are identified as driving off road without being licensed an insured their bikes would be seized.

"Locations to limit access to the site have been agreed and will be implemented once agreed with relevant contractors.

"We are working with Canals and Rivers Trust to see if we can adjust the access route off Goscote Lane which should help deter access for off road bikes."