Anti-social use of vehicles (predominantly unregistered off-road bikes) is a major concern for the community. Frequently uninsured and unroadworthy, the illegal use of such vehicles creates a risk of harm to the public and to the rider.

Supported by Housing Agencies and Landlords, Community Protection Warning Notices are in the process of being issued to addresses where unregistered off-road motorbikes are known to be operated from.

Rural Crime - Acquisitive Crime and Poaching/Livestock Worrying. Rural Crime has a massive impact on our rural communities, both financially and emotionally with persons living often in very isolated areas. Rural crime is also linked to larger Organised Crime where travelling criminals will target plant machinery and quad bikes.

We work closely with our rural communities to tackle Rural Crime. We have a dedicated Rural and Wildlife officer PCSO Hart who works closely with our Rural Communities to combat Rural Crime. We use a variety of powers including Community Protection Notices, Poaching Warning Letters and prosecuting criminals in addition to providing support around crime prevention. In the last 3 months we have issued a number of poaching warning letters in relation to reports of poaching. Members of the Neighbourhood Team have attended a meeting with the PCC around the Rural Crime Strategy to which representatives of our rural communities were in attendance. An officer within the Neighbourhood Team has also been recently trained as a Drone Pilot and a new Drone for the Consett area. This is a tool that has been used effectively in the identification and apprehension of offenders, particularly in rural areas.