Police and partners tackle community concerns around off-road vehicles, ASB and illegal activity in remote areas of Rochdale

Our neighbourhood policing team in Rochdale are working with partner agencies and community volunteers to address community concerns around anti-social behaviour caused by off-road vehicles in rural parts of the district.

Following reports of local residents being verbally abused, feeling threatened, and having their property damaged by people carrying out anti-social and unlawful activities, we devised a plan to tackle these problems which includes a dedicated policing operation.

Within the first 10 minutes of patrolling around the moorland on Saturday 15^th June 2024, we spotted a quad bike being offloaded at the junction of Catley Lane Head and Rooley Moor Road. Officers approached the vehicles and noticed the quad bike had a false number plate.

Three men – aged 44, 42, and 37 – from Bury, Merseyside and Burnley areas respectively, were arrested on suspicion of theft of a motor vehicle.

All three were issued community protection warnings, which imposed conditions preventing them from using off-road vehicles in a disruptive way.

The quad bike was seized, along with two vans believed to be used in crime and an additional two off-road bikes which were inside the vans. All vehicles are now subject to Section 59 in the Police Reform Act Warnings, meaning they would be seized again if found to be used off-road or in an anti-social manner.

Later in the day, community volunteers spotted a 4x4 vehicle breach police warning signs prohibiting off-road vehicles likely to cause alarm, distress, or annoyance to the public. Officers stopped the driver on Woodhouse Lane and his vehicle was impounded. The owner will now need to pay a fine to recover the vehicle.

Sargent Brendan Walsh from GMP’s Rochdale district said: “We understand the prevalence of off-road vehicles in the moorland have caused distress and harm to residents, walkers, cyclists, horse riders as well as animals, and has damaged land, fencing and paths.

“I hope people realise the impact of their actions and think twice before using the area for a joyride.

“The proactive action we’re taking to tackle this problem should send a strong preventative message: we will not tolerate off-road vehicles used for anti-social behaviour and illegal activity.

“Our robust approach, working collaboratively with partners and members of the public, is an example of how we strive to stamp out problems and reach tangible solutions for our communities.”

To find or connect with your neighbourhood policing team, visit the ‘Your area’ section on our website: https://www.gmp.police.uk/area/your-area/

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