MP calls for greater police powers to tackle illegal bikes

Summarised from BBC Tees's report · Updated 5 Nov, 22:34 · Archive

A North East MP has called for police to be given greater powers to tackle illegal off-road bikes.

Darlington MP Lola McEvoy has called for police to be given greater powers and funding to tackle illegal off-road bikes in the North East. Speaking in a Westminster debate, McEvoy said the riders showed 'a blatant disregard for the law, drug dealing in the street and carrying knives and weapons'. She said police forces were playing a game of 'cat and mouse with the criminals' and needed more resources to make a difference.

The debate was organised to discuss issues specific to the North East and was attended by Julie Francis, whose mother Gloria Stephenson died in Sunderland last May after being hit by a man riding an electric motorbike. The rider, 19-year-old Billy Stokoe, had been taking cannabis and using a mobile phone at the time. He received a sentence of six years and nine months. Francis said this was 'an insult to her mum's life' and that action was needed immediately.

McEvoy also raised concerns about illegally modified e-bikes and scooters increasingly being used as faster and more powerful alternatives to off-road bikes.

Read the report

• Call for more powers to tackle illegal bikesJulie Francis, whose mum died after being hit by a man on an electric motorbike, was at the debate.BBC Tees · 5 Nov, 17:56

In this story: Lola McEvoy · Julie Francis · Gloria Stephenson · Billy Stokoe · Darlington · North East · Sunderland

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