Within the last six weeks, Mansfield District Council and Nottinghamshire Police have proactively worked together to target illegal motorbike users who were creating misery for residents in the Pleasley, Radmanthwaite, Bull Farm and Burlington Drive areas.

The operation’s quick success was partly thanks to the community-led insight given to the council and police as well as the united and coordinated approach to tackle the issue.

At the start of June, the council’s Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) team met with local councillors, neighbourhood wardens and Nottinghamshire Police to discuss the problems highlighted by local residents to find solutions to the growing issue.

Initially, the team distributed over 1,000 leaflets around Pleasley, asking residents to actively share information on the issue of illegal motorbikes in the area to narrow down the target areas.

Following this initiative, 22 pieces of intelligence came through to the ASB officers, including the names and addresses of potentially illegal motorbikes being used.

Five established complaints of information confirmed the location of motorbikes. This led to issuing two warnings and two warnings of notice seeking possession (NOSP) if the authority continued to receive complaints.

One stolen bike was also recovered during the operation by Derbyshire Police.

Since the leaflet drop at the start of June, the council and partners have received no new complaints about nuisance motorbikes, and residents have also been in touch with local councillors sharing positive feedback from the operation.

Coun Angie Jackson, portfolio holder for Wellbeing, Health and Safer Communities, said: “I am delighted to see this community-led operation return such great results in just six weeks.

“My thanks go to all our residents who shared information and reported issues to us; without this, we cannot build a picture of the wider issues and find solutions to these problems.

“If anyone spots any anti-social behaviour within our district, we all have a duty to pull together and report it to ensure we keep Mansfield a vibrant and safe place to live, work and visit.”

Insp Kylie Davies, district commander for Mansfield at Nottinghamshire Police, added: “People who ride motorcycles in this way are not only causing noise nuisance to people for miles around, they are also putting themselves and others in danger. It is totally unacceptable, and we will never tolerate it.

“Our work to combat this issue will now continue and I want to put nuisance riders on notice: If we catch you riding illegally, we will stop you, we will fine you, we will seize your bike if we can, and we will do all we can to ensure you are prosecuted for any offences you have committed.”

Residents are encouraged to report anti-social behaviour within the district at www.mansfield.gov.uk/report or call the council Anti-Social Behaviour hotline on 01623 460144.