Thornlie residents are fed up with illegal dirt-bike riders tearing through their suburb, after shocking footage emerged on Tuesday.
The images of helmet-less riders tearing down Spencer Road, popping wheelies and riding on the wrong side of the road, are nothing new to Thornlie locals, who say the activity has been going on for over ten years.
Unfortunately, Police are unable to chase the riders, taking into account the safety of the public and the potential of serious injury to the riders.
Armadale Police launched a campaign at the end of March 2021 seeking public help to target unlicensed off-road motorbikes being used on roadways, footpaths and public parks in Perth’s southeast, under the hashtag #theymustlivesomewhere
A post on the Armadale Police Facebook launching the campaign had 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, of course, Thornlie.
In January 2022, Gosnells Police targeted off-road motorcycles in Operation Speddingup, hitting 15 offenders with over 100 charges.
WA Police have seized 340 illegal off-road motorcycles in the past 12 months, but the reality is the off-road vehicles are a dime a dozen.
City of Gosnells mayor Terresa Lynes said the issue of off-road motorcycle hoons was widespread and not limited to the City of Gosnells.
“Without doubt the so called “untouchables” are breaking the law, unfortunately the City of Gosnells has no power to intervene,” she said.
“It is the responsibility of the police force to action solutions.
“It is clear to see the community have had enough, they want results.
“While the City of Gosnells council recognises that this is a State Government responsibility, we also recognise that the community expect more from the city by way of reducing crime. “
The city recently voted to include extra funding in the 2022/23 budget for crime reduction initiatives, funding that Police Minister Paul Papalia declined to match.
“It needs to noted that the City of Gosnells incorporates strategies into the design of buildings, parks and facilities to improve surveillance, we install bollards as deterrents, we have CCTV in many areas, we provide programs and facilities for our youth, we provide assistance where possible to our local police.
“We are definitely proactively attempting to reduce crime where possible.”
