An operation to target off-road and nuisance motorbikes in Thurrock has resulted in 36 riders being reported for offences, 25 receiving warnings and two being arrested.

Thurrock Community Policing Team, in partnership with Thurrock Council, has been patrolling the district since Sunday, July 1, in response to reports of careless and dangerous riding.

Our operations in August also saw officers armed with video cameras and SelectaDNA spray identify and take action against the illegal bikers.

Since the operation was launched, 12 riders were reported for careless driving, 15 for either riding without insurance or a valid licence, five for having fraudulent insurance details, and five for having dangerous faults with their bikes.

Police gave 19 warnings to people that now bans them from riding anti-socially or face further action, and six people were issued with Community Protection Warnings, which prevents them from entering certain parts of the district or from driving motor vehicles in a certain way.

Officers also seized nine bikes, stopped and searched six people, and arrested two people.

PC Rowan Perrior, of Thurrock CPT, said: “We tend to receive a spike in anti-social riding reports across the district during the summer holidays, so our dedicated team and operation was set up to combat this. Our patrols have helped buck this trend with some impressive results - almost halving the number of incidents reported to the police from the same time last year.

“The message was clearly sent to riders that if you decide to get on a bike and ride anti-socially or illegally in our communities, you will be stopped and dealt with.

"We have the powers to stop you, to seize your bikes, and can take you to court where you face a possible driving ban, fine or prison sentence.”