Bob
25th October 2006, 00:28
Home Secretary John Reid has said that mini-motorbikes should not be banned.
In the House of Commons, Mr Reid said that the government supported well-managed, legal sites and there were measures to deal with anti-social bikers, but admitted enforcement was "patchy" across the country and more guidance was needed.
"I don't believe at this stage we are in a position where we want to actually ban them completely," he said "But where they are being misused we have made available a range of powers which are being used throughout the country."
He said some areas used the powers - to seize bikes or control them through measures like seizure powers, dispersal laws, noise abatement notices and anti-social behaviour orders - more than others, but £200,000 (approx NZD 565,000) had been spent on an information campaign to encourage more areas to do so.
And the government's Respect taskforce was available to advise any local authorities or individuals on what could be done.
In the House of Commons, Mr Reid said that the government supported well-managed, legal sites and there were measures to deal with anti-social bikers, but admitted enforcement was "patchy" across the country and more guidance was needed.
"I don't believe at this stage we are in a position where we want to actually ban them completely," he said "But where they are being misused we have made available a range of powers which are being used throughout the country."
He said some areas used the powers - to seize bikes or control them through measures like seizure powers, dispersal laws, noise abatement notices and anti-social behaviour orders - more than others, but £200,000 (approx NZD 565,000) had been spent on an information campaign to encourage more areas to do so.
And the government's Respect taskforce was available to advise any local authorities or individuals on what could be done.