Thames Valley Police launch Operation Trail

Thames Valley Police have launched an off-road motorcycle team in a bid to help tackle anti-social behaviour across the force.

As part of Operation Trail, the team will have new off-road motorcycles, which have been funded as part of a Roads Safety Initiative supported by the Police and Crime Commissioner.

The team of dedicated officers will work tirelessly to tackle crime across the Thames Valley. They will be supporting neighbourhood policing teams to tackle crime at the heart of our communities.

The motorbikes will be used to catch those who ride quadbikes and motorbikes, often through estates or on parkland, which greatly impacts residents. These bikes will be deployed to help officers travel through areas they have previously been unable to get to with a car.

Inspector Scott Long, of Thames Valley Police & Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary, Joint Operations Unit, said: “Operation Trail is a new initiative which will support Neighbourhood Policing and the Rural Crime Team tackling criminals who target rural areas.

“It will also enhance our capability when searching for vulnerable people on open land and provide visible reassurance to communities not normally accessible to traditional police vehicles.

“We will also be deploying the bikes to areas that suffer from anti-social behaviour and will be able to tackle the illegal use of off-road bikes.

“We know that anti-social use of vehicles can cause misery and danger to communities and we now have the capability to go off road and target those using vehicles illegally.

“We all have a part to play in keeping our roads, communities and green areas safe so please continue to provide us with information so that we can target the right areas and make the Thames Valley safer.

The Police and Crime Commissioner, Matthew Barber, said: “The new team of off-road motorcycles will help our drive to tackle anti-social behaviour in the Thames Valley.

“The team will support our growing number of neighbourhood police officers by tackling crime in often hard-to-reach areas and apprehending those causing anti-social behaviour riding quad bikes and motorbikes. 

“I look forward to seeing the positive actions of the new off-road motorcycle team, and the impact their work has on reducing anti-social behaviour for residents within our communities.”

Take a look at the below video to see the bikes in action: