Isuzu Trooper Owners Club UK™

notts-police · Newbie Joined: 22 Apr 2008 Posts: 1 Location: MANSFIELD

update July 2008

Off-road biker hit with 12-month driving ban for riding illegally in Mansfield

An off-road biker has been convicted of dangerous driving at court yesterday after being caught riding illegally on land known as ‘The Desert’ in Mansfield.

The 17-year-old was charged with various motoring offences back in April as part of a large-scale police crackdown on illegal bikers, Operation Nebraska.

At Mansfield Magistrates the youth was found guilty of dangerous driving, driving without insurance or a valid licence and failing to stop. He was disqualified from driving for a year and given a referral order.

The conviction comes just as three other arrests were made on ‘The Desert’ last weekend as part of the same enforcement campaign.

Two local men, aged 35 and 26, were arrested on suspicion of driving offences on the site and another, aged 50, for theft.

The trio have since been released on police bail.

A 21-year-old man is still on bail after he was also arrested back in April on suspicion of dangerous driving at the site – bringing the arrest total to five.

Operation Nebraska is a two-year enforcement campaign that began three months ago to target illegal off-road vehicles on ‘The Desert’ - an area owned by UK COAL, The Forestry Commission and County Council.

Since the operation’s April start, a total of 228 off-road bikes and 4x4’s have been turned away from the site’s entry points.

Officers have seized 28 motorbikes, issued 45 Section 59 warning notices and hit seven people with £200 fines and six points on their drivers’ license.

Nebraska’s lead officer, PC Craig Bromley, said: “The conviction shows the consequences of flouting the law and should deter bikers using the site in future.

“We want to acknowledge that most responsible bikers are keeping away and using legitimate biking sites instead, which was our ultimate goal.

“However, police will not be relaxing the operation’s momentum. Nebraska is running for two years at least. Stay off The Desert or face the penalties.”

END

Notes to editors
Bikers have no legal right on the 500 acres of land privately owned by UK COAL, as they do not have the company’s permission.

Motor-bikers caught on the UK COAL site will receive a £30 fine and Section 59 seizure notice – for those who return within 12 months, their vehicle will be confiscated.

Off-road biking on Eakring Road – an ancient public highway – or the rest of The Desert - public land owned by the Forestry Commission - without tax, insurance or a valid MOT will also land a rider in hot water.

Motorcyclists riding on public land or access routes - without the correct documentation – will be issued with hefty, £200 on-the-spot fines and six penalty points on their drivers’ license and also risk their bike being seized.

Bikes will be crushed if owners fail to pay the incurred recovery costs – of up to £300.

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DYLAN · Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2008 15:12 Post subject:

Well i for one even though i am very local to the site and know some "idiots" that go there have never been myself, The simple reason is that some of the people that go there have no regard for their own or more importantly anyone else's safety. I know the importance of spreading the word but i don't think you will find the members of this club frequenting a place like that. Is this crackdown due to the recent death there? If rumours are to be believed thats the second death and the first time there was a crackdown to stop people using the site.
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dxmedia · Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2008 15:36 Post subject:

If you really are nott's police force posting, welcome to the forum, it'll be great to have some kinda legal view point on here.

Just remember that all speeds are quoted in kph Laughing

The text above does indeed come from notts police website - http://www.nottinghamshire.police.uk/newsandevents/news/2008/july/02/three_months_of_operation_nebraska/

although it's a public site.
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markymoan · Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2008 15:42 Post subject:

dxmedia · Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2008 15:46 Post subject:

It's good to see some proactivity really...

> goes and scrubs number plate off all pics on the forum Laughing

>>
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For great insurance deals on 4x4s, imports and more, contact Adrian Flux :

01553 845 945

cozz · *** Joined: 14 Apr 2008 Posts: 220

interesting

i went to the dessert once in my youth about 15 years ago - its illegal use has ballooned in recent years - motorbikes are the worst - riders without safety gear - no licence, nicked motorbikes, never mind insurance MOT etc, and at least 1 fatal accident it was bound to happen

I must admit its downfall it the fact its such a good site for off road use - its a great shame the owners couldnt legalise off road use - or charge users £10-£20 a day each to use it monitored

Interesting that if the poster is notts police - that they joined on 22 april - and have been lurking/watching us since then

but illegal use of the desert HAD gone too far to be ignored

markymoan · Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2008 20:36 Post subject:

Not Lurking, some posts drop off after 30/60 days depending where posted Wink

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dxmedia · Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2008 20:39 Post subject:

markymoan · Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2008 20:48 Post subject:

I get nose bleeds at 60 so maybe its tin foil hat time Rolling Eyes

Btw, you will find quite a few members are in the Emergency Services and more the merrier Very Happy

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