Agenda item

Chief Inspector Wendy Tinkler and Chief Inspector Jon Hagen, Cleveland Police will be in attendance to provide further information to the panel regarding off- road bikes.

The Chair welcomed Chief Inspector Wendy Tinkler and Chief Inspector Jon Hagen, Cleveland Police to the meeting to provide further information in relation to off road bikes and Operation Endurance.

 

Following on from the last meeting, the Chief Inspector made reference to the incident on Sunday 7th August, when it was estimated over 100 persons gathered across various locations in Middlesbrough on off and on road bikes, cars and quads. The Chief inspector advised that there has been criticism towards the police, but wanted to reassure work is ongoing to identify and arrest those involved.

 

Of those identified, 20 arrests had been made , 19 bikes seized, 8 suspects who were further identified from the press appeal and they are looking at undertaking a day of action.

Following on from the incident on 7 August, there was intelligence that a further incident was planned in 2 weeks’ time.   Due to this intelligence significant work was completed between the Police and other partners (including Middlesbrough Council) to prepare.  This included several press releases to deter offenders and the event didn’t come to fruition. 

 

In terms of the status of the investigation:

-          When the incidence was made known to Cleveland Police, there had been no intelligence to suggest this would occur which hampered opportunity to prepare.  At the time of the event the incident was risk assessed, weighing up factors against current demand, potential harm and risk to members of the public, Cleveland Police and Staff and the offenders themselves.  

-          The sheer number of people in attendance hampered any opportunity to consider pursuit tactics, as this would have increased the risk posed to members of the public. 

-          The deployment of stingers was an available tactic (spikes that can be laid across the road to burst tyres) however due to the quantity of bikes, this was neither suitable nor appropriate.

-          Cleveland police requested assistance from air support, however as there was no significant threat to life this was not appropriate.

-          Following risk assessing the situation the Silver Command decided that evidence gathering would be undertaken by officers on the ground, and management of the event to ensure safety and minimize disruption to the community. 

-          Officers were deployed with CCTV capabilities and also our town cctv was utilized.

-          The evidence gathered from the event has been reviewed.

-          The investigation is extensive involving the backtracking of CCTV footage in order to identify those riders who were wearing helmets and face coverings.  This enabled the identification of some due to cctv footage being obtained where riders had their face coverings/helmets removed. 

-          Those who have not been identified have been forward tracked, where officers have reviewed cctv and press coverage appealing for information e.g types of bikes/ quads and from 20 face recognition, there were 2 responses.

-          There were positive comments on social media, as the public felt the incident was being dealt with.

-          After the incident, and under the Preventative arm with partners, the route the bikes took was assessed and it was noted they have taken down a number of fences to gain access. Highways repaired these immediately and on the 2 days there was potential for another incident, there were Lorries on standby with boulders. The Police also conducted high visibility patrols to ensure no further damage was done.

-          There was significant social media and press releases to highlight the dangers and warn riders what would happen if they undertook this type of activity again.

 

The panel had questioned the use of Smart water and the Chief inspector outlined that it was not suitable for this scenario. However Cleveland Police do use ‘SelectaDNA tagging’ which comes in 2 forms: the first a spray which can be directed towards suspects and their vehicles and the second is a bomb burst style, which can be used in large crowds e.g football crowds.

In terms of further work, the Chief inspector outlined that they would link into SelectaDNA tagging spray under section 59 notices.  There was currently a piece of work being undertaken to look at areas where off road bikes most affect communities.

 

The panel were pleased to hear that across Teesside, Middleborough had the lowest amount.

Section 59 notices allow a uniformed officer, who may see an off road bike whose driver is causing anti-social behavior and nuisance, to serve a section 59 notice, and this MUST be done in order to seize the bike. If they haven’t been served a notice, the police have no power to seize the bike.

 

Section 59 warning Signage prevents the requirement to provide a warning notice to offenders.  In effect the signage acts as the warning notice.  Partnership work is being conducted to have appropriate signage created and put in those areas most affected. 

The Chief Inspector also outlined that she would be working with the Council to have section 59 orders included in any further Public space protection orders.

In terms of police powers, the Chief Inspector outlined that there is the following:

-          Driving offences

-          Section 59 warnings

-          Section 165 under the road traffic act

-          Those who are arrested, the police have the power to seize anything in relation to the incident. If it is identified that a bike is being kept in a lock up, a section 18 can be requested from their Inspector to search the property.

 

The investigation was still ongoing and Cleveland Police had established a Preventative Plan to reduce any further incidents- known as Operation Edmondson.  Chief Inspector for Redcar and Cleveland Jon Hagen provided further details to the Panel.

The Chief Inspector outlined that similar to Middlesbrough, Redcar and Cleveland have their local difficulties with off road bikes and there are no borders so often riders cross through both areas. Therefore joint working with Middlesbrough has been crucial.

The panel were advised that the Chief Inspector had been given the authority to look at off road bikes for the force. His tactic was looking at it like organised crime and drugs, whereby establishing where the bikes are coming from, break the networks , establish where the bikes are and where they are stored.

The Chief Inspector was also looking at introducing governance within the police, and now every police area has the lead e.g. in Middlesbrough , Inspector Steve Pattison. It was important to have leadership on the problem and that this is replicated across the force.

In terms of the overall plan, the Chief Inspector was using the template from the Home Office organised crime strategy, in relation to the 4 P’s:

·         PURSUE: prosecuting and disrupting people engaged in serious and organised criminality

·         PREVENT: preventing people from engaging in serious and organised crime;

·         PROTECT: increasing protection against serious and organised crime;

·         PREPARE: reducing the impact of this criminality where it takes place.

Each owner will have a 4 P plan and will come up with a tactical option e.g. educational packages for schools to combat generational problems.

It is important to education parents but also education teachers that if they hear of young people driving off road bikes, this is a safeguarding issue and should be reported to children’s services and the police.

In terms of pursue, in order to prosecute people for this offence, they also wish to gain holistic approach and prepare a profile around repeat offenders e.g. their full background and why they may be reoffending. 

In terms of criminal behaviour orders, the panel were made aware that currently the police have to appeal with the magistrates court and ask for certain restraints on an individuals e.g. not allowed to own a quad bike or be seen in public wearing a balaclava. If they are caught breaching these conditions, this gives the police power of arrest.

The force is keen to advertise this within the communities through local councillors (only over 18 years of age) as often ‘naming’ is the best way to catch perpetrators.

The Inspector advised he was keen to work alongside the council to issue community protection orders which would allow PSCOs to issue warning letters, and if caught again they would be issued with a notice, where they are issued with a fine and if not paid, they can be taking to court.

·         Further action would be as follows:

·         community intelligence and utilise crime stoppers

·         days of action,

·         standard reporting mechanism for housing providers

·         call backs and report back to the community on what is being done.

·         Internally launching front line training to inform officers of their powers

·         Key initiatives- link in with garages to ensure they do not serve riders who wear helmets in the forecourt/ shop.

·         Posters will be recirculated in the garages and circulated in ward areas.

·         Inspector Steve Pattison is also looking at a multi -agency response for off road bikes which will include Cleveland Police, housing, the council fire brigade etc. This will allow for a structured approach and there will be monthly actions on a local level.

Following the presentation, the Chair asked whether the force used drones and the panel were advised that these were using during the incident in August, and that the force was in the forefront of preventative measures.

The panel were keen to assist with promoting the dangers of off road bikes and the following suggestions were made:

 

·         Crimestoppers/ off road bike posters to be put in lovemiddlesbrough magazine/ community buildings and copies provided to ward councilors.

·         information to be placed on Middlesbrough council on social media/ through communication channels.

 

The councilors were very complimentary of the preventative measures and felt the information provided had been clear and precise.

 

AGREED- That the information be noted and that evidence provided be utilized within the final report of the panel