Operation Orbit in Eastfield

We hope you’ve had a very relaxing and peaceful bank holiday weekend.

Sadly, there’s not been a great deal of peace lately if you live and work in Eastfield near Scarborough.

Nuisance and noise caused by the illegal use of motorcycles has been blighting the community.

This includes on and off-road bikes being ridden around with no thought to other people’s safety or quality of life.

Eastfield Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) has been gathering information and intelligence about the issue, and they have now taken action by bringing in specialist support over the bank holiday weekend.

Under Operation Orbit, the force’s Off Road Bike Intercept Team carried out high visibility patrols in the Eastfield area alongside their NPT colleagues.

This involved actively engaging with residents - including some of the riders - about the safe and appropriate use of road legal and non-road legal motorcycles.

They also emphasised the likelihood of facing a prosecution, receiving a road ban and the seizure of their bikes if found guilty at court.

PCSO Jake Fairbotham, of Eastfield NPT, said: “We’re very grateful for the reports and information from the community and we’re determined to tackle anti-social and illegal use of motorcycles in our area.

“It was excellent to work alongside the Off Road Bike Intercept Team over the weekend. They’re greatly experienced in dealing with such issues and, together, we’ll continue to do all we can to improve the situation for residents and businesses in Eastfield.”

While on patrol nearby, the Off Road Bike Intercept Team spotted a man on a black motorcycle acting suspiciously on Seamer Road, East Ayton, at 2.35pm on Saturday (27 Aug).

The rider failed to stop for the police but he was arrested nearby five minutes later.

The 38-year-old local man was charged with failing to stop for the police, having no licence, no insurance and taking a motor vehicle without the owner’s consent. He was bailed to appear at Scarborough Magistrates’ Court on 12 September 2022, 10am, court room 2.

Investigations are ongoing into other suspected offences including possession of Class A drugs and production of cannabis which involved property searches by the Operational Support Unit. He has been released under investigation regarding these matters. (Ref 12220153400)

Aside from motorcycle offence, the officers dealt with the driver of a Toyota Yaris on Beacon Road, Irton, for having no tax.

And a Citroen C2 was stopped and seized on Cayton Low Road, Eastfield, after the driver was found to have no insurance. A TOR (Traffic Offence Report) was issued meaning the driver will face prosecution.