Scores of off-road bikers 'terrorise' City Park, Bradford

The concerning video, obtained by the Telegraph & Argus, was filmed at City Park shortly after 8pm yesterday.

It shows anti-social riders revving, tooting horns and pulling wheelies in front of members of the public. 

The brazen bikers were seen riding across the front of Bradford Magistrates' Court, near the fountains then past City Hall, before heading off in the direction of Sunbridge Road. 

A senior police officer told the T&A the force was aware and conducting enquiries into the "anti-social off-road riding".

They added that such "illegal riding is not tolerated in our communities" and pointed out that officers "regularly prosecute and seize bikes from people seen behaving in this way".

As previously reported by the T&A, two yobs caught riding dirt bikes across City Park were hauled before the courts earlier this year. 

The member of the public who shared the video with the T&A spoke of his shock - and said he had witnessed similar offences in the city centre recently.

Yobs riding past Bradford magistrates' court (Image: Submitted)

He said: "These people were terrorising City Park.

"It's very worrying. 

"The same thing happened Saturday night as well. 

"They were riding all through the roadworks. 

"It's bad enough walking through the roadworks - without vehicles like this trying to force their way through on the paths." 

The member of the public, who did not want to be identified, added: "I hope they can be caught and identified." 

Inspector Jodie Scatchard, of West Yorkshire Police, told the T&A: "We did receive reports of anti-social off-road riding in the Bradford city centre area yesterday evening.

"This sort of illegal riding is not tolerated in our communities and we regularly prosecute and seize bikes from people seen behaving in this way.  

"Calls are followed up with efforts made to identify suspects via submitted footage, eyewitness reports and checks with local petrol garages.

"We are conducting enquiries into the reports of anti-social riding and I would ask anyone who saw or has footage of the bikes to contact Operation Steerside at bd.steerside@westyorkshire.pnn.police.uk, referencing log 1757 of September 3. 

"Footage of illegal riding can also be summitted online via our Op Snap portal at www.westyorkshire.police.uk/SaferRoadsSubmissions."

Pair hauled before courts

In July, a 17-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, and 21-year-old Abdul Khan, of Sandford Road, Bradford, both pleaded guilty to several offences - including driving a motor vehicle dangerously - after they were caught riding dirt bikes across City Park.

Two yobs riding dirt bikes across City Park earlier this year (Image: Telegraph & Argus)

The incident unfolded on April 30 as children paddled in the popular Mirror Pool.

The T&A captured footage of the pair riding the unregistered bikes across City Park, which often draws large crowds on sunny days.

At the time, one onlooker said: "I was saddened, I was really saddened by it.

"It's always the same way, isn't it - it's such a shame when yobs ruin such a good afternoon for people enjoying the weather."

Appearing at Bradford and Keighley Magistrates' Court, Khan was sentenced to a 12-month disqualification, 80 hours' unpaid work and a rehabilitation order.

The 17-year-old was bailed to be sentenced on September 16.

Sergeant Jamie Wilkinson, from West Yorkshire Police's Steerside Enforcement Team - which works to tackle crimes on Bradford's roads - said at the time: "We welcome the guilty pleas in court.

"Operation Steerside is committed to tackling the use of anti-social off-road riding and we will continue to commit our resources into tackling such behaviour."

Last month, the T&A reported on concerns raised by TT winner Nick Jefferies about illegal riding in the Bradford district. 

He said: "I live near Wilsden, but if you travel in to Allerton, you would be likely to witness outrageous manoeuvres on a daily basis.

"I fear it won't be long before a child or an OAP is mown down by one."

He added: "These youngsters are riding around with complete freedom because they know they cannot be touched - as they are often not wearing helmets and they are often wearing balaclavas which make them unidentifiable."

Nick said he wanted to see the Government give police more powers to tackle the problem.