Cooper vows crackdown on 'nightmare' off-road bikers

YOBS who race around terrified neighbourhoods on off-road bikes will see the vehicles destroyed under Labour plans to crack down on anti-social behaviour.

- David Williamson

Police will be given powers to crush dirt bikes and quad bikes and hit offenders with tougher on-the-spot fines.

Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper wants to end the system that can see bikes impounded for weeks before being sold at auction and ending up back on the streets. Under the new plans, bikes could be destroyed after just 48 hours instead of being held for 14 days.

Ms Cooper said: “Noisy off-road bikes speeding round local streets and neighbourhoods, deliberately disturbing and intimidating local residents, are a nightmare for communities.