Cops threaten to seize bikes

Motorcyclists not charged with any criminal offence are being handed warning notices by police threatening to seize their bikes.

The warnings are issued under legislation designed to tackle anti-social behaviour. They state riders have broken traffic laws and warn their motorcycles will be impounded if caught again.

Motorcyclists say officers working for controversial police chief Richard Brunstrom are abusing the powers by handing the warnings to riders who have committed no offence. 

MCN reader Richard Edwards, 52, from Telford, says he and a friend were both given warnings for no other reason than they were spotted riding near another motorcyclist who broke laws by crossing a solid white line to overtake.

Edwards said riders on the other side of the road were also being handed warnings, in what appeared to be a blanket action aimed at driving motorcyclists out of North Wales. The engineer, who has a clean licence, said: “As far as I’m concerned this is a ‘stay out of North Wales’ ticket.”

The warnings state motorcyclists have ridden inconsiderately or carelessly in a way which either has or is likely to cause ‘alarm, distress or annoyance to members of the public’.

They go on: ‘If you drive the vehicle in the same way on any other occasion, I can seize the vehicle under section 59 of the Police Reform Act 2002.’

North Wales Police claimed in a statement: ‘Where appropriate, North Wales Police have been utilising Section 59 of the Police Reform Act on all sections of the motoring public since it came into being and will continue to do so.

‘Section 59 is a stand-alone power and officers can use their discretion when dealing with motorists under this power. The warning does not require offenders to be reported for or dealt with separately for the careless driving element. However, neither does it prevent the police from pursuing a prosecution and issuing the S59 notice.’

The force admitted three out of four warnings issued on September 21 were to motorcyclists.