Hull: Community Safety Partnership launch motorbike task force

Hull Community Safety Partnership have established a new motorbike unit in Hull dedicated to tackling the illegal use of motorbikes and the nuisance this causes.

The new team consists of 12 officers from Humberside’s Neighbourhood Policing Teams and members of Hull City Councils anti-social behaviour team.

As a part of #OpYellowfin officers have continued to proactively stop motorcyclist and deal with those who either ride in anti-social manor or are believed to be riding a stolen motorcycle. The new team will take to the streets on a new means of transport in a bid to deter criminals, engage with members of the community and deal with those driving in an anti-social way.

The Inspector leading the new taskforce Mark Peasgood said: “Through Humber-talking and engaging with the communities the misuse of motorbikes has been highlighted as a real concern with residents.

“Taking the feedback seriously working with the partnership, we are committed to tackling the issue. Since launching, we have already spoken to lots of people in the community who have been really pleased to see our officers out on motorbikes.

“The team, working with the council will be looking to build and develop existing relationships with the local biker community, businesses and residents which will help support them to find and develop solutions to tackle crimes affecting them.

“I cannot stress enough how important it is for us to hear from our residents about the problems they are experiencing as this helps us achieve a better understanding on how we tackle the issues.

“As a part of the new task force the team will also be working with Safer Roads Humber to engage and educate riders around motorcycle safety and the dangers of driving these vehicles in an anti-social manner.

“In summer months we do have hot-spot areas which see an increase in reports. Throughout this period, we will be running community surgeries and keeping residents up to date through MyCommunityAlert as we continue to tackle the issue. You can report the misuse of motorbikes anonymously by calling CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111 or by visiting our website for more information.

Tracy Harsley, the Chair of Safer Hull, said: “Hull City Council is proud to support this initiative as part of the Hull Community Safety Partnership.

“It is important for our residents to be able to feel safe in their communities. The vast majority of motorcycle riders in the city use them in a safe and respectful manner, but those who ride illegally or in an anti-social way can cause concern from residents in these communities.

“This initiative will hopefully go a long way to help people feel safe, while also reassuring motorcycle owners that action is being taken to prevent the theft of motorcycles in Hull.”

Meet some of the team

Police Detective Sergeant AJ Whitehead 17 years’ service:

I’ve spent the majority of my time as an officer policing across the areas of Hull and East Riding before taking on the role of Sergeant as a part of #OpYellowfin in 2019.

Since then I have worked alongside the northbank proactive team in a bid to make our communities safer by actively targeting and disrupting those wanting to commit crime and anti-social behaviour in the Hull.

As a keen motorcyclist myself with a passion for targeting motorbike enabled crime and nuisance motorcyclist working in the new task force, I’m excited to start educating people and supporting legitimate and legal riders, as well as forging links with the motorcycle community.

Police Constable Darren Kirkwood 20 years’ service

Since starting out as a probationer over the course of the last 20 years I’ve had the opportunity to police Hull City Centre and west Hull before I joined the east Hull Community Policing team as the beat manager in 2018.

It’s really important to me that the communities we police know what we are doing to tackle issues in their local area, that’s why I like to keep people up to date via social media (@PCDKirkwood).

Those that follow me on Twitter will know that I spend a lot of time on two wheels when I am out cycling raising money for police charities. I’ve also ridden motorbikes for the past 10 years so I am looking forward to swapping my cycle helmet for a motorcycle helmet to make a real difference in disrupting criminality and anti-social behaviour across Hull along with assisting partner agencies in the education around motorcycle safety.

Police Constable Lee Eggleton 17 years’ service

Spending the majority of my career as a Response Officer there isn’t a lot I haven’t seen. Of recent years I began tutoring student officers and sharing my experiences. I have also managed several investigations before I joined the Community Policing team alongside PC Kirkwood in 2019 as a Community Beat Manager.

I’m excited to see what change the new task force will bring as a keen motorbike rider myself. I’m really optimistic that this fantastic opportunity will help provide reassurance to residents and whilst also targeting and educating those who fall foul of the law with their motorcycles’

We want to remind owners of some crime prevention tips to keep their motorbike safe:

• Always lock your bike with its fork and ignition locks.
• Invest in a secondary quality disc and chain locks.
• Secure your bike to a rail, anchor point or anything solid.
• Where there are no anchor points lock bikes together with your friends.
• Fit a quality approved alarm and tracking system. Invest in an insurance-approved ID and marking system (eg. micro dot, DNA marking, acid etching…)
• Park and lock your bike in well lit, busy locations. Try not to leave it in a remote area especially overnight.
• Cover your bike. It can hide its value and your security kit as well as protect it from the weather.