(Image: Supplied)
Durham police and crime commissioner Joy Allen has welcomed new powers allowing officers to seize off-road bikes and other vehicles being driven anti-socially.
The new legislation lets police seize vehicles without a warning if they are driven carelessly, inconsiderately, too fast or in a way that annoys other road users.
The powers cover cars, e-scooters, off-road bikes and motorcycles.
From left, casualty reduction coordinator for Durham Constabulary, Pete Tate, PCC Joy Allen and Insp Simon Hogg (Image: Supplied)
Ms Allen said: "These new measures are necessary, and I welcome the Government’s decision to take this issue seriously.
"Anti-social driving is not a nuisance, it is a danger to life.
"Reckless drivers put themselves and others at risk because their attention is not on the road and they are not fully in control of their vehicles.
"It only takes a moment for that behaviour to end in tragedy."
The changes follow amendments to Section 59 of the Road Traffic Act.
Ms Allen, the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners’ joint national lead for roads policing, has long campaigned for tougher enforcement and safer roads, particularly for young and inexperienced drivers.
Her Police, Crime and Justice Plan prioritises safer roads and tougher penalties for reckless drivers who harm others.
For years, the commissioner has responded to complaints about off-road bikes speeding through housing estates, along footpaths and across the countryside.
She said: "It also blights communities.
"Time and again, residents tell me about off-road bikes tearing through neighbourhoods, creating noise, damaging land and wildlife, intimidating local people and making families feel unsafe in places they should be able to enjoy freely.
"In Durham, we have taken a tough stance on the illegal and dangerous use of off-road bikes, backed by investment, technology and dedicated policing operations.
"These new powers strengthen that work by enabling officers to act immediately and stop dangerous behaviour before it causes serious harm.
"The message to offenders is clear: there are no warnings and no second chances.
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"If you break the law and put the public at risk, expect swift and robust action."
Ms Allen recently brought police, councils and other organisations together to plan further action and share intelligence.
Durham Constabulary is running Operation Orb against illegal off-road bike use, while partners are considering drones and other technology to find bikes and gather evidence.