The alarming footage was taken at City Park yesterday night just after 8 o’clock, and it was acquired by the Telegraph & Argus.
In front of onlookers, it depicts antisocial riders wheelie-pulling, tooting horns, and revving.
The impertinent motorcyclists were spotted riding past City Hall, across the front of Bradford Magistrates’ Court, and next to the fountains before making their way towards Sunbridge Road.
The T&A was informed by a senior police officer that the force was aware of the “anti-social off-road riding” and was looking into it.
The statement went on to say that “illegal riding is not tolerated in our communities” and that police “regularly prosecute and seize bikes from people seen behaving in this way”.
The public person who provided the footage with T&A expressed shock and mentioned seeing similar acts in the city core recently.
“These people were terrorising City Park,” he declared.
“It’s quite concerning.
“On Saturday night, the identical thing took place.
“They rode through the entire construction zone.
“It’s bad enough walking through the roadworks – without vehicles like this trying to force their way through on the paths.”
The anonymous public member continued, saying, “I hope they can be caught and identified.”
The T&A was informed by West Yorkshire Police Inspector Jodie Scatchard: “Yesterday evening, we received allegations of antisocial off-road riding in the Bradford city centre area.
“In our neighbourhoods, we do not accept this kind of riding, and we often prosecute and take motorcycles from those who are observed engaging in such behaviour.
“After receiving a call, efforts are made to identify potential perpetrators through the use of provided video, eyewitness accounts, and local petrol station checks.
“I would want anyone who observed or has footage of the bikes to email Operation Steerside at bd.steerside@westyorkshire.pnn.police.uk, quoting log 1757 of September 3. We are looking into the claims of anti-social riding.
“Footage of illegal riding can also be summitted online via our Op Snap portal at www.westyorkshire.police.uk/SaferRoadsSubmissions.”
A couple brought before the courts
After being seen riding dirt bikes across City Park, a 17-year-old boy who cannot be identified for legal reasons and a 21-year-old Abdul Khan of Sandford Road, Bradford, entered guilty pleas to multiple charges in July, including driving a motor vehicle dangerously.
When the event happened on April 30, kids were paddling in the well-liked Mirror Pool.
The two were seen on video by the T&A riding the unregistered bikes through City Park, which gets a lot of visitors on sunny days.
One bystander remarked at the time, “I was saddened, I was really saddened by it.”
“It’s always the same way, isn’t it – it’s such a shame when yobs ruin such a good afternoon for people enjoying the weather.”
Khan was found guilty and given a 12-month disqualification, 80 hours of unpaid labour, and a rehabilitation order at Bradford and Keighley Magistrates’ Court.
The 17-year-old was released on bond until his September 16 sentencing.
At the time, Sergeant Jamie Wilkinson of the West Yorkshire Police’s Steerside Enforcement Team, which investigates crimes on Bradford’s roads, stated: “We are pleased that the guilty pleas were entered into the record.
“Operation Steerside is committed to tackling the use of anti-social off-road riding and we will continue to commit our resources into tackling such behaviour.”
The T&A published a story last month on Nick Jefferies, the TT winner, who expressed concerns about riding illegally in the Bradford district.
“I live close to Wilsden, but if you go to Allerton, you’re probably going to see some pretty crazy stunts every day,” he stated.
“I fear it won’t be long before a child or an OAP is mown down by one.”
He added: “These youngsters are riding around with complete freedom because they know they cannot be touched – as they are often not wearing helmets and they are often wearing balaclavas which make them unidentifiable.”
Nick expressed his desire for the government to grant police greater authority in order to address the issue.
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