The new plan to reclaim Salford's streets as off-road bikes plague neighbourhoods
A new plan is needed to crackdown on the ‘serious problems’ being caused by off-road vehicles in Salford, it has been claimed.
Salford Quays councillors Paul Heilbron and Jonathan Moore say motorbikes, quadbikes, scramblers, and e-bikes are causing major issues in communities across the city and need to be tackled.
They are bringing the matter to a meeting at Salford Civic Centre on Wednesday (September 17), where they will try to drum up support for the call.
A motion on the issue states: ‘Local communities are frustrated with ongoing problems and want to see visible, joined-up action.
‘A proactive, multi-agency approach involving Salford City Council, GMP, housing providers, is essential to tackle this issue effectively.;
The councillors added that ‘despite ongoing efforts, residents in parts of the city feel that enforcement is not keeping pace with the scale of the problem, particularly in areas such as Clifton Country Park, Ordsall Park and Salford Quays.’
During the meeting on Wednesday, they will call for a number of new steps to be taken to stop incidents involving off-road vehicles.
This includes looking at new bollards and fencing, use of CCTV and Public Spaces Protection Orders, a new ‘long-term strategy’ in partnership with Greater Manchester Police (GMP), and making it easier for councillors to report suspected vehicles being used for anti-social behaviour.
The motion also calls for details of identified hotspots and actions taken to be made available to the public in a format which is straightforward to understand.
Councillors in Salford will discuss the calls and vote on the motion during the meeting.
GMP launched an operation to tackle and reduce anti-social behaviour on motorbikes, e-bikes and quadbikes in summer 2024.
It said this June that the work has led to ‘a number of arrests made and bikes seized from all over Greater Manchester.’
PS Grogan from its force prevention branch said at the time: “We understand the frustration residents feel by reckless riding, and we’re deploying every resource at our disposal – from specialist officers to cutting-edge surveillance technology – to identify offenders and hold them accountable.
“This isn’t just about enforcement; it’s about reclaiming our streets and ensuring families can enjoy their neighbourhoods without fear or disturbance. We’re sending a clear message: if you choose to ride anti-socially in Greater Manchester, we will find you, and you will face the consequences.
“If you know who is using motorcycles anti-socially or to commit crime, let us know. Report it online or call Greater Manchester Police on 101, or 999 in an emergency.”