• Home
  • News
  • Sport
  • Entertainment
  • Local History
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise With Us
  • About Us
  • Subscribe
  • Read Our Newspapers Online
    • Read the Latest Western Port News
    • Read the Latest Mornington News
    • Read the Latest Southern Peninsula News
    • Read the Latest Frankston Times
    • Read the Latest Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News
  • Competition
Facebook Twitter Instagram
Trending
  • Resident road rage over reduced speed limit
  • Steele retires, ‘Stirts’ to Seagulls
  • Pythons and Tigers all square, oh my!
  • Frankston Football Club hold a successful fair
  • Home services crisis after switch to private providers
  • Call for help after donation drop
  • True passion the source of author inspiration
  • OAM for ‘Coodabeens’ Bill Baxter
Facebook Twitter
MPNEWSMPNEWS
  • Home
  • News
  • Sport
  • Entertainment
  • Local History
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise With Us
  • About Us
  • Subscribe
  • Competition
MPNEWSMPNEWS
Home»Latest News»Police out to stop illegal riders
Latest News

Police out to stop illegal riders

By Stephen TaylorFebruary 19, 2019Updated:February 19, 2019No Comments3 Mins Read
Bikes seized: Police impounded three trail bikes in separate incidents in the Hastings area, Friday 15 February. The riders were issued penalty notices for unlicensed driving and driving while unregistered. Picture: Supplied
Share
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email
Bikes seized: Police impounded three trail bikes in separate incidents in the Hastings area, Friday 15 February. The riders were issued penalty notices for unlicensed driving and driving while unregistered. Picture: Supplied

A HASTINGS resident says he is “absolutely fed up” with children riding motor bikes and trail bikes on grass areas and pedestrian paths along the foreshore.

Richard Harrison, of Skinner Street, said he had seen a number of “near misses” between the so-called “monkey bikes”, pedestrians and cyclists and fears “someone, quite possibly a child, will be killed if nothing is done”.

He says repeated demands for action from Hastings police have come to nothing: “I was told the police must literally catch the perpetrators in the act before they can do anything.

“Yet if a perpetrator is injured in a pursuit, it is the individual police officer who personally risks substantial costs by way of compensation.

“Is it any wonder I have not seen a single marked police vehicle anywhere in the vicinity after reporting these incidents by calling 000 time and time again.”

Mr Harrison said it would appear the police “would rather not witness such incidents for fear of what may follow”.

“What hope do we have if the police themselves are effectively discouraged from acting?” he asked.

Officer-in-charge of Hastings police Senior Sergeant Steve Duffee acknowledged the illegal riding of the monkey bikes was a problem and said he could understand residents’ frustration. He said police were “working towards a resolution”.

Sergeant Duffee refuted claims that individual police officers could be held liable for injuries to monkey bike riders during a pursuit.

“That’s not the case,” he said.

“Hasting police will continue enforcement in relation to this issue and offenders will be held to account.

“Our members always conduct appropriate risk assessments when called to these types of incidents and I would urge the community to call 000 to report this offending.” 

Last week, Sergeant Scott West said Hastings police were aware the illegal riding of the bikes was “becoming an issue”.

“We are gathering information and taking steps to curb them,” he said. “Two riders were picked up recently and their owners fined.”

Mr Harrison said the police knew where the riders lived. “They are well known to them and I have contacted the public housing officer in Frankston who is responsible for their placement,” he said. 

“She says it is a matter for the police and that, unless an offence happens on the property itself, there is nothing she can do.

“What will it take before something is done?”

First published in the Western Port News – 19 February 2019

Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email

Related Posts

Home services crisis after switch to private providers

July 4, 2022

Call for help after donation drop

July 4, 2022

Shire ‘no’ to Esso’s bid for power

June 27, 2022

Call for panel to consider future of green wedge

June 27, 2022
Add A Comment

Comments are closed.

Weather
Jul 6, 2022 - Wed
Mornington, Australia
6°C
clear sky
clear sky
4 m/s, ENE
71%
767.32 mmHg
wed07/06 thu07/07 fri07/08 sat07/09 sun07/10
sky is clear
10/9°C
light rain
12/11°C
light rain
11/10°C
light rain
12/9°C
sky is clear
10/9°C
Peninsula Essence Magazine

Click here to read

June 27, 2022
Peninsula Kids Magazine

Click here to read

May 26, 2022
Council Watch

Keeping watch on councillor costs

June 27, 2022

Leadership lacking for ‘neutral’ policy

June 20, 2022
Interview

True passion the source of author inspiration

July 4, 2022
Property of the Week

278 Dundas Street, Rye

May 11, 2022
100 Years Ago This Week

Frankston Football Club hold a successful fair

July 5, 2022
Contact
Street: 63 Watt Road, Mornington, 3931
Mailing: PO Box 588, Hastings, 3915
Menu
  • Home
  • News
  • Sport
  • Entertainment
  • Local History
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise With Us
  • About Us
  • Subscribe
  • Competition
About

Established in 2006, Mornington Peninsula News Group (MPNG) is a locally owned and operated, independent media company.

MPNG publishes five weekly community newspapers: the Western Port News, Mornington News, Southern Peninsula News, Frankston Times and Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News.

MPNG also publishes two glossy magazines: Peninsula Essence and Peninsula Kids.

Facebook Twitter
© 2022 Mornington Peninsula News Group.

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.