Summary of Priority:

September 2007:
Binley Woods residents are becoming increasingly frustrated with the ongoing problem with off road motorcycles riding through Brandon Woods, Piles Coppice and the Old Fruit farm in an anti social manner.

January 2008: This priority has been extended.

March 2008: This priority has been extended.

Sept 2008: This priority has been reinstated.

December 2008:This priority has been extended.

March 2009:This priority has been extended.

Details of Action:
Warwickshire Police will continue to pro-actively police the areas suffering heavily with the motorcycle nuisance. This pro-active policing will include planned and organised operations held at random using police off-road motorbikes and the police helicopter. Those caught riding off road illegally risk receiving a Section 59 warning (Police Reform Act 2002). This puts their details and the vehicle details on the Police National Computer (PNC) and they also risk their vehicles being seized. Warwickshire Police are currently working alongside Warwickshire County Council, Rugby Borough Council, Optima, Woodland Trust, LaFarge, Network Rail, Warwickshire Fire Service and Friends of Brandon Woods to combat the motorbike nuisance by improving the security and boundaries of the areas affected. Warwickshire Police are committed to protecting local communities however remind residents to report/record incidents as to provide a clearer picture of what is happening in their area.

Actions to date

Meeting 3rd October 2007:

Meeting with Warwickshire Fire and Rescue, Warwickshire County Council, Hyder Consultancy, Optima, Woodland Trust, Lafarge and Friends of Brandon Woods. Meeting discussed possible restrictions to the area of Brandon Woods, Piles Coppice and the Old Fruit Farm to prohibit access to off road vehicles using the site to cause alarm, harassment and distress.
* Woodland Trust has agreed to put concrete blocks in place on the slip road to Piles Coppice by the Texaco garage. These are due to be in place by April 2008.

* Possibility of considering blocking off underpass into Fruit Farm once footpath diversion application has been decided. If footpath is diverted, restrictions to be put in place to protect walkers.

* LaFarge to replace large gates on Brandon Lane and keys given to Warwickshire Police and Fire Service for access.

Meeting 23rd November 2007:

Meeting with Rugby Borough Council, Warwickshire County Council, Binley Woods Parish Council, Auto Cycle Union and Friends of Brandon Woods. Meeting discussed Ryton MotoX track for inexperienced/young riders possibly using lottery funding in order to control nuisance.
* After consultation with local residents of Brandon Lane, many have expressed they would oppose any plans to extend the track in any way on grounds of the noise nuisance it poses.

* Other options are to be reviewed.

Ongoing enforcement from Warwickshire Police:

Nov 08 - 2 Section 59 Warnings given.

Oct 08 - 2 Section 59 Warnings given.

August 08 - 2 Section 59 Warnings given.

July 08 - 2 Section 59 Warnings given.

26 April 08 - 3 Section 59 Warnings given.

11 Feb 08 - 11 People given Section 59 warnings.

13 Jan 08 - 6 People given Section 59 Warnings.

16 Dec 07 - 4 People given Section 59 Warnings.

24 November 07 - 3 People given Section 59 warnings.

14 October 07 - 2 People given Section 59 warnings.

30 Sept 07 - 8 people given Section 59 warnings.

March 2008:

* New Literature regarding the laws of off road biking is being produced.

* New signage is going up around the site making it easier for vehicles to be confiscated.

* Friday 7th March 08 - Police helicopter takes new aerial pictures of the site to ascertain if there are any new entrances.

* Saturday 8th March 08 - Police off road bikes visit the site to patrol.

April 2008:

* New literature regarding the laws of off road bikes launched on 28th April 2008. This literature has been designed to give advice regarding where and when off road vehicle can be ridden, where and when they cannot, and the laws regarding owning them.

* New signage has been put up around the affected areas making it easier for Police Officers to confiscate offending vehicles.

May 2008:

* 18th May 2008: Police off road team visit Brandon Woods and Piles Coppice area. No unauthorised off road vehicles in area.

* Reports reporting motorbike nuisance in this area has decreased by 79% compared to Jan - May 2007.

July 2008:

* New gate put in at Texaco services on A46 restricting access to the Piles Coppice area. This gate was funded by Woodland Trust and Orange. This gate has worked to restrict access to unauthorised vehicles, reduced fly tipping and helped to provide a safer place for walkers.

* Two Section 59 warnings given by local PC on patrol in the area.

August 2008:

* New 'kissing' gate installed by LaFarge opposite Brandon Wildlife reserve on Brandon Lane to restrict access to unauthorised vehicles accessing the site.

* Two Section 59 Warnings given after report of nuisance motorbikes in the area of Brandon Woods.

September 2008:

* It was decided at the Sept 08 PACT meeting this this priority should be continued.

* New signage has been put in place to enforce the law.

* Police off road motorbikes have visited the area.

* Further discussions with regards to restricting entrances to the woods area with partner agencies.

October 2008:

* Two Section 59 warnings given after reports of nuisance motorbikes.

November 2008:

* The police off road motorbike team attended the area on 15th November. Along with issuing four Section 59 warnings to those riding illegally in the area, they also recovered a stolen scooter.

* New signage has been put up in the area of Brandon Lane and Brandon Woods to warn riders as to the consequences of committing riding offences in the area.

* Local PCSO met with Network Rail representatives in order to discuss further restrictions to the area.

December 2008:

* This priority was extended at the December 2008 PACT meeting.

* Two section 59 warnings issued on 7 Dec.

* Nuisance motorbike reports have reduced by 77% in 2008 compared to those reported in 2007.

January 2009:

* Two Section 59 warnings given on 18th January after one report of vehicle nuisance in the woods.

February 2009:

* Eight Section 59 warnings given over month.

* Meeting with partner agencies to discuss and finalise restrictions around Brandon Woods.

March 2009:

* Police off road motorbike team visit area.

* New restrictions agreed for underpass, path alongside railway and A46 layby.

* Two section 59 warnings given this month.

* Priority extended at March 2009 PACT meeting.

April 2009:

* Police off road motorbike team visit area.

* Discussions with partner agencies regarding the upgrade of their boundary fencing.

* Two section 59 warnings given this month.

May 2009:

* On-going discussions with partner agencies and landowners regarding the upgrading of their boundary fencing and blocking off of accesses.

* Since 1st of January 2009 to 1st of May 2009 there were 12 reported incidents of off-road bikes riding in and around Brandon Woods, Piles Coppice and the old Fruit Farm areas.

* Mini-motorbike confiscated from a young male riding along Brandon Lane, Brandon. Male has been reported for no license and no insurance.

* Police off-road team visit Brandon Woods, Piles Coppice and the Old Fruit Farm areas over the weekend of 23rd and 24th Of May 2009.

* Local PCSO finds and gets removed an abandoned burnt out and possibly stolen vehicle in the Old Fruit Farm area. This vehicle was being used by off-road motorbikes as an obstacle in an unofficial course.

Further actions to be announced shortly.