Crime and Policing Bill

Written evidence submitted by Neighbourhood Police Sergeant Gary Cookland, Stockton Neighbourhood Policing Team, Cleveland Police (CPB30)

1. I am Neighbourhood Police Sergeant Gary Cookland, I am currently stationed in Stockton District within Cleveland Police.

2. The area which I police has high social deprivation with both crime and anti-social behaviour incidents also high.

3. I note that the new crime and policing bill covers wide ranging topics, my submission is specific to anti-social behaviour. I feel that the role I undertake gives me a great insight into the highlighted issue, allowing me to bring a professional viewpoint from which I will provide suggestions to improve the current bill.

4. The area I police has significant issues relating to the illegal use of motor vehicles in particular off-road motorcycles, these include high performance electric motorcycles and quad bikes. It is an issue which is regularly raised as a high priority by the communities I work in and speak to.

5. Offenders are using these vehicles to conduct their criminal activities, dealing drugs, committing crimes (including offences against the person). Offenders, who are generally balaclava clad, use our local neighbourhoods as racetracks, goading law enforcement and bringing misery to the many hard-working families within these communities.

6. The amendments offered within the new bill do not go far enough and I believe this is a missed opportunity.

7. Many of the vehicles I am referring to are vehicles which are not road worthy and are not registered vehicles. These vehicles are sold without any restrictions and are readily available to any person who wishes to purchase one, they do not even need a driving licence! This has caused an influx of dangerous imports which are afflicting our streets in high numbers. I urge government to amend this bill to include some form of regulation, to include the need to supply the name of the owner, along with an address and driving licence at the point of sale.

8. The current increasing trend in this issue has and will continue to put pedestrians and road users alike at risk of serious harm, a registration scheme will show that the government is serious about tackling this issue.

9. Vehicle seizures. I note that the bill intends to amend S.59 Police Reform Act. There is also the Road Traffic Act amended by SOCAP which also allows for seizure of vehicles for no insurance. Legislation should be amended to simplify this area of law. Consideration should be made for a single piece of legislation which allows, for any vehicle which doesn’t have insurance or can’t have insurance as they are not roadworthy, to be seized immediately, if it is believed that the vehicle has been used on a road or other public place. There should not be a stated time limit on this, but any action should be over a ‘reasonable time period’. This will prevent offenders hiding the vehicle away for a period of time before returning to their illegal activities.

10. Any vehicles that are seized which are not roadworthy or registered should be automatically sent for destruction and not allowed to return to the streets via resale, which is often the case currently. Those vehicles that are roadworthy should not be returned until all relevant documentation for that vehicle is correct including an accurate and up to date registration document. S.59 recoveries do not currently need all of these documents in order, only proof of ownership and payment of recovery fees.

11. Preventative legislation should be considered around the sale of fuel for these vehicles. Fuel stations are selling petrol to offenders who attend on vehicles which are clearly illegal, offenders who do not wear helmets and do not possess driving licences. Legislating will offer support to these fuel stations and help to reduce the impact of these vehicles on our neighbourhoods.

12. On the wider issue of anti-social behaviour. The use of balaclavas is now at epidemic proportions within our communities, this is solely down to criminals trying to remain anonymous whilst going about their criminal activities. The impact of balaclava clad individuals within our communities can’t be underestimated. I can assure government that these individuals instil fear to law abiding citizens. I urge government to consider adding the use of such headwear as a specific offence under the new bill.

March 2025