North Yorkshire Police launches off-road motorcycle team to curb crime and anti-social behaviour in rural areas

With large areas of the county taken up by open land and rural crime an issue continuing to plague residents, North Yorkshire Police is launching an off-road motorcycle team to ensure every corner is covered.

It comes amidst rising issues of antisocial behaviour from people on motorbikes, which are being ridden off-road through rural and private land, causing major disruption and at the detriment to local residents and wildlife.

Between April and July this year, the force received more than 100 calls about incidents linked to off-road bikes.

In addition to curbing these incidents and being able to make more arrests, the off-road motorcycle team hopes to be able to help search for vulnerable missing people, tackle rural and wildlife crime, deter cross-border criminality, and support community events.

The team will be riding Honda CR250L motorbikes for their duties.

Inspector Kevin Kelly, who developed and implemented the team, said he was "immensely proud".

"This is arguably one of the most physically demanding roles in policing, and the officers have put a huge amount of work in to develop their skills and resilience," he said.

“Completion of this project has come about through partnership working with South Yorkshire Police, who have helped with training and mentoring, and the North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner who has provided funding for the riders’ safety kit.

“The team is now in a position to support a range of policing operations in urban and rural areas – from busy town centres to remote National Parks. I know they will make a real difference in our communities.”

Four new riders have recently passed the rigorous College of Policing training, bringing the total number of officers to seven.

Harrogate-based Pc Ellie Cooke, who is a keen enduro rider, will be among them.

Pc Cooke was the 2019 British Ladies Enduro Champion, and the British Ladies Sprint Champion in 2019 and 2020.

She said: “When I heard about the off-road motorcycle team, I knew that this would be the perfect role for me, as I could transfer my off-road riding skills into work.

“I knew from a young age I wanted to be a police officer, and there is nothing better than being able to do the job I love while riding a motorbike! I am looking forward to my new role in the team, and I am excited to see what we can achieve together.”

Support The Yorkshire Post and become a subscriber today. Your subscription will help us to continue to bring quality news to the people of Yorkshire. In return, you'll see fewer ads on site, get free access to our app and receive exclusive members-only offers. Click here to subscribe.