Using ABCs to target young off-road bikers in Doncaster

Neighbourhood officers in Stainforth are continuing to work with partners to target and apprehend people riding nuisance off-road bikes in the town.

As part of ongoing partnership work with City of Doncaster Council and St Leger Homes, officers for Doncaster East Neighbourhood Policing Team have been gathering intelligence on those riding off-road bikes illegally and in anti-social manner in Stainforth.

The team are seizing bikes that are being ridden illegally on a weekly basis and take appropriation, which sometimes involves issuing Acceptable Behaviour Contracts (ABCs).

For example, two 15-year-old boys who were caught on an off-road bike in Stainforth were issued with ABCs - a voluntary written agreement signed by an individual committing antisocial behaviour.

 Explaining more about ABCs and how they are being used to combat teenagers riding off-road bikes is Sergeant James Housley: "ABCs can be issued to anyone over the age of 10 and we see them as a positive alternative to seeking formal criminal justice against young people.

"For many young offenders, this might be their first offence, and we've found that ABCs can be effective in acting as warning and a deterrent to those committing antisocial behaviour offences.

"The contracts usually involve a number of partner agencies, with parents and guardians of the young people also involved in the process.

"If the offender breaches the terms of their ABC, it can be used as evidence to show that further and tougher enforcement action may be required in order to curb their behaviour.

"The next step for them might then be appearing before court so these contracts really do act as a clear deterrent and warning that they need to change their behaviour or face the consequences of their actions."