HALO secures funding to help put the brakes on motorbike disorder

The six week pilot scheme will work with a group of 10-12 young people from the Hetton and Easington Lane areas to educate them about the dangers of problem biking and divert them away from dangerous activities.  

This will involve the young people learning about advanced rider awareness, pre ride checks, legislation and a disciplined and safe approach to riding.

Deputy Leader of Sunderland City Council and Cabinet Member for Clean Green City, Councillor Claire Rowntree,  who is also a Hetton ward councillor, said: "We recognise the impact nuisance motorbikes have on our communities and we're delighted to have secured this funding from the Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner's Operation Payback fund to help us tackle the problem.

"The Back on Track pilot is all about educating young people about the dangers of off-road bikes. We hope it will lead to a drop in motorbike disorder and anti-social behaviour in the Hetton area, as well as reassuring the wider community and helping our residents to feel safer."

The scheme will see young people being educated about the dangers and impact that off road biking can have on them, their community and their wider family life.

Sunderland City council has been working with partners for some time to address the issues caused by nuisance motorbikes. Measures taken have included with everything from issuing community protection warnings against anti-social motorcyclists to blocking entrances, 'designing out' anti-social behaviour and additional CCTV and drones to identify those responsible. 

This latest project is being funded from Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner Kim McGuiness' Operation Payback Fund. 

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Kim McGuinness, said: "There's no better use for cash seized through fighting crime than channelling it right back into our communities - particularly areas that need it most or where we are wanting to clampdown on things like anti-social behaviour. Cracking down on motorbike disorder is right up there as one of our top priorities for the area. Not only can it be a nuisance, but it can be dangerous. So, this is a terrific project designed to help turn the issue around and build on other successful work we have already seen delivered through the HALO project.

"I want to present kids with the chance to do things they want to do, present them with the right opportunities and get them the support they need when they need it so they stay away from the path which can lead to criminal behaviours. This is just one of several projects across Wearside to benefit from my Operation Payback Fund and I'm hopeful this work will help us bring crime down and improve lives for local people."

Inspector Phil Baker, of Northumbria Police, said: "We know that motorcycle disorder is an area of concern for many residents, with these vehicles often being ridden in a dangerous manner.

"Tackling and preventing anti-social behaviour such as this can only be achieved through effective partnership work - and that's why the latest funding announcement for the HALO project is welcome news.

"This will only strengthen our approach to fighting crime and keeping people safe in the community - and we will continue to use every tactic at our disposal to crackdown on this type of criminality."

As well as diverting young people away from anti-social behaviour,  it is hoped the scheme will also have other benefits for those taking part.

This includes helping the young people to focus more on their education and homework and improve their attendance, as well as develop new friendships and improve their self-confidence and sense of self-worth.

The ground breaking HALO partnership (Hetton Aspirations Linking Opportunities) was set up in 2022 to make a positive difference to residents and businesses in Hetton by bringing a range a partners together to work closely with and support the local community.