Armadale Police launched a campaign at the end of March seeking public help to target unlicensed off-road motorbikes being used on roadways, footpaths and public parks in Perth’s southeast, and the campaign, under the hashtag #theymustlivesomewhere, has been netting results.
The initiative was launched under Operation Nagel, and provides an online portal for members of the public to submit video or photographic evidence of unlicensed, off-road motorbikes being used on roadways or coming and going from an address.
Armadale Police Sergeant Patrick Utley said the approach allowed Armadale Police to be proactive.
“As part of larger proactive crime reduction strategy, Armadale Police targeted the use of unlicenced motorcycles within the Armadale area,” he said.
“Armadale Police reached out to the community with the main aim of identifying addresses where the off-road bikes were stored.
“If someone on your street does this and you are prepared to give us the information, we can investigate,” he said.
Speaking of one successful confiscation of an unlicensed motorbike in Hilbert (pictured) Sgt Utley said the investigation sparked from information given by the public.
“As a result of information received, police identified an address in Hilbert where an unlicenced motorcycle that had been used on a road was stored.
“Once the information was verified a search warrant was executed at the address, during which an off-road motorcycle was seized and an adult male was charged with traffic related offences.
“The motorcycle was then subject of the Seizure Laws contained within the Road Traffic Act, which, in summary, allows police to confiscate the unlicenced motorcycles,” he said.
A post on the Armadale Police Facebook launching the campaign has seen a massive public response, with nearly 70 responses and 60 shares calling attention to issues with unlicensed, off-road motorbikes being used in Armadale, Gosnells, Seville Grove and more.
“It’s a big public issue, we want it to stop, they are a danger to themselves and to members of the community.
“Armadale Police will continue to use this strategy in an ongoing basis and we are still encouraging members of the community to help us address this issue.
“The message to the riders of unlicensed motorcycles is: if we find out where you live we may be paying you a visit and confiscating your bike.”
For more information or to submit evidence, visit facebook.com/wapolarmadale or search for #theymustlivesomewhere
