Draft legislation that would make it a rule that off-road vehicles be registered was debated in the House of Commons on Friday (19.04.24).
Peter Gibson MP for Darlington spoke in the debate and highlighted the challenges faced in Darlington.
Speaking in the debate Peter said “I’m delighted to see this Bill being debated, as the issue of off-road bikes are something I have long campaigned on and the registration of off-road bikes is one of the tools that can easily help to tackle the scourge of this issue.
“Let me be absolutely clear, off-road bikes are meant to be used in a lawful manner for off-road biking, trail riding and competition, and I have no desire to stop those legal and lawful activities. I have no truck with lawful use of these vehicles.
“My concerns come from seeking to address the feedback of thousands of my residents whose lives are blighted by these vehicles, and I welcome the Ministers proposal for a task force and trial areas, and I suggest that Darlington might be a great place to have such a trial.
“It is clear as day to me that registering vehicles will help to end the terrorising of our streets and better enable police forces to tackle the problem of these bikes ripping through our communities.
Peter went on to praise the work of Durham Constabulary and the Darlington Borough Council Civic Enforcement Team for their work on Operation Endurance, which sees the team gathering data and monitoring intelligence on these people, so that action can be taken to disrupt them and bring a stop to their offending.
Responding the Road’s Minister, Guy Opperman MP said “I hope to work with the Police Minister and work up plans for trial areas, I’d be happy to come to Darlington to see first-hand the problems and make recommendations to the Home Office for a trial there.
