Devon TRF Group Forum

Andybow · Sportsman

Police East devon

jt · Powermonger!!

Is Gruff on the case?

Worth us contacting Sgt Squires?

ttr steve · Devon's Best

Bultaco. Good bike weren't they confuse

Must know a thing about bikes wink Hope they catch the scrotes. If it was out this way I might help the plod biggrin biggrin biggrin biggrin (no offence to you lot biggrin )

Andybow · Sportsman

I will bet it was some walkers that have no idea where we can ride legally, I've not seen any so called gangs riding "off road"
But I have seen quite a few walkers tell me I shouldn't be riding here etc, all this has been around east hill and otterton view point!

jt · Powermonger!!

I was leading a group on East Hill one day last year and was stopped by the police - (Suspect reported by dog walker, who incidently was breaking the law by having dog off lead on public higway furious ). Once we 'explained' he was happy to let us go on our way.

I have seen non road reg bikes up on the strips many times hmm

I'm happy to speak with Sgt Squires but don't want to tread on any toes - so await either Gruff or a DTRF officer to say they are happy for me to do so.

-- Edited by jt on Thursday 19th of February 2015 08:09:46 PM

wackyracer · Powermonger!!

Its real and a huge presence at times with helicopter back up, this was used 2 weeks ago to stop and search a van on the east hill strips whilst parked up in legit car park

copter hovered whilst awaiting for police to arrive via road to search said van, thinking they had illegal motorcycles in van or on the strips riding

Whilst leading weekend before last i was stopped on the tarmac rd by a woman who asked me if i was going to ride on fire beacon east hill ??

Well Wacky PR machine went into to overdrive to explain what was what with the code of conduct, low speed, lane clearing, TRF etc.

she drove off wishing she never asked me smile

Bottom line if your riding a road legal machine on road legal unsurfaced roads - your smiling but don't expect to be ignored as the public aren't as well informed as you and i very much doubt the police are that well informed on whats legal to ride either wink

hampsterracing · Devon's Best

jt wrote:

I'm happy to speak with Sgt Squires but don't want to tread on any toes - so await either Gruff or a DTRF officer to say they are happy for me to do so.

-- Edited by jt on Thursday 19th of February 2015 08:09:46 PM

i would ring/text gruff to find out as he doesnt check in here very often.

i would rather two people contacted the police to offer help than none .......................

wackyracer · Powermonger!!

ttr steve wrote:

If it was out this way I might help the plod (no offence to you lot)

I'm glad your up there then biggrin biggrin (no offence to you my friend) biggrin

chriscole · Clubman A

jt wrote:

I'm happy to speak with Sgt Squires but don't want to tread on any toes - so await either Gruff or a DTRF officer to say they are happy for me to do so.

-- Edited by jt on Thursday 19th of February 2015 08:09:46 PM

I have sent a message to Gruff but agree with Roger there is no harm in more than one member of DTRF contacting Sgt Squires, so if you are happy to make contact, as a DTRF officer I would be really grateful

moe · Clubman B

what a waste of time and money,better if it was spent on these muslim terrorists,and sorting drug dealers out,countrys one big f-----g joke,in my day kids were aloud to ride bikes on the moors till some over educated lefty t--t decides you cant do that anymore as you might squash some flower when the true fact is commoners dont want the public venturing out to far and being able to see there dead animals that they cant be bothered to collect

Wheely · Expert

jt wrote:
I was leading a group on East Hill one day last year and was stopped by the police - (Suspect reported by dog walker, who incidently was breaking the law by having dog off lead on public higway ). Once we 'explained' he was happy to let us go on our way.
-- Edited by jt on Thursday 19th of February 2015 08:09:46 PM

I remember that very well

andrecrock · Sportsman

Working in cherriton bishop today I spotted 5 lads on 125 stomp tipe bikes, no reg no helmets no nothing tearing down a public foot path and then cross a main road. Makes one wonder! Although I must say though were are the youngsters meant to ride, but on the other hand there is a law and one we up hold and pay for. Be good to see dtrf getting involved so the coppers know we are concerned.

wackyracer · Powermonger!!

andrecrock wrote:
Working in cherriton bishop today I spotted 5 lads on 125 stomp tipe bikes, no reg no helmets no nothing tearing down a public foot path and then cross a main road. Makes one wonder! Although I must say though were are the youngsters meant to ride, but on the other hand there is a law and one we up hold and pay for. Be good to see dtrf getting involved so the coppers know we are concerned.

AGREE smile

There are plenty of organisations offering tracks or private ground to play on!

jetfitzmaurice · Novice

wackyracer wrote:
Its real and a huge presence at times with helicopter back up, this was used 2 weeks ago to stop and search a van on the east hill strips whilst parked up in legit car park
copter hovered whilst awaiting for police to arrive via road to search said van, thinking they had illegal motorcycles in van or on the strips riding

That may well have been me, if it was a white ratty looking VW, I was sat up there enjoying a coffee and a sandwich with the wife and the funny thing was it was a few days before I'd even bought my green lane bike

I thought it was strange that the chopper had been overhead for so long biggrin

doug9270 · Powermonger!!

Saw a group on two pit bikes two weeks ago going along the long bridleway at the north end of east hill strips. I offered my advise about illegal riding on a bridleway but there was a large spectating group who i spoke to so was slightly out numbered so was not going to get too animated. What i do know is an hour before i did noticed a group of younger chaps in custom cars at the garage in sidmouth, the same cars later were parked at east hill strips near to where the action was taking place !!

-- Edited by doug9270 on Friday 20th of February 2015 09:40:59 AM

TTR · Powermonger!!

" after numerous reports from members of the public about a gang of bikers tearing round the paths with no consideration for other users since early January."

Are the police covered by the Freedom of Information Act?

It would be interesting to know (a) the locations of "the paths" that this gang of bikers were tearing round and (b) what action the police took to check whether the paths at these locations had vehicular rights before investing such a large amount of public money in this Bultaco exercise.

I wonder how much it costs overall to keep a helicopter in the air. Maybe that could be an add on question....

Brian

John Harvey · Clubman A

TTR wrote:
" after numerous reports from members of the public about a gang of bikers tearing round the paths with no consideration for other users since early January."
Are the police covered by the Freedom of Information Act?
It would be interesting to know (a) the locations of "the paths" that this gang of bikers were tearing round and (b) what action the police took to check whether the paths at these locations had vehicular rights before investing such a large amount of public money in this Bultaco exercise.
I wonder how much it costs overall to keep a helicopter in the air. Maybe that could be an add on question....
Brian

Brian's makes an important point here!

If Joe public is reporting legal usage of Byways as "illegal use of Footpaths" (due to their own ignorance) then it doesn't help anyone if the police compound this ignorance and just hassle legal users needlessly!

jt · Powermonger!!

Tried to contact Sgt Squires but not on duty till later - so will try again this evening.

hampsterracing · Devon's Best

Not just around here.

http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/vehicles-seized-denbighshire-police-crackdown-8656748

make sure your bike is fully legal !

(sensible numberplates etc)

jt · Powermonger!!

Just had a long chat with Sgt Squires - nice chap, didn't know of our existance (but does now) and was very interested - they have an issue in one specific location and in his words are not 'out to spoil our fun'.

He has asked if we could assist with an upcoming 'event' to help 'educate' - I said that I'm sure we would happy to do so.

I won't give the date yet (or here) but he has my details and will contact me soon to discuss - If an officer of the DTRF would like to contact me then I will 'appraise' them of the detail.

Basically if you stick to the legal lanes and our COC you have nothing to worry about - stray and you may wink

-- Edited by jt on Friday 20th of February 2015 10:04:58 PM

Gruff growl · Clubman A

Evening all,

I have just emailed Sargent squires,see email below, will keep you all informed if anything happens.

For the attention of sergeant Squires.

Dear sir my name is Mark Fishwick and I am the police liaison officer for the Trail riders fellowship.

I have heard that once again the problems at East hill strips and other local areas have come to your attention. Firstly I would like to offer any assistance that I or the TRF can offer. I have helped the police in other areas such as Woodbury common.

There are many legally ride able roads on East Hill strips, known as greenlanes. These are in fact Unclassified county roads and are recognised by Devon county council as legally drive able roads, Obviously any vehicle so doing must be fully road legal.

The TRF follow a strict code of conduct when riding these roads and strongly wish to disassociate themselves from the general ne-er do wells, that we find terrorising our beautiful countryside.

You can reach me either by replying to this email, or by calling 07. I work as a postman in Sidmouth,so I am not far away.

Kind regards,

Mark Fishwick

jt · Powermonger!!

I am the invisible man...

Steve H · Devon's Best

Thanks JT & Gruff, really nice to see people putting themselves out to try & help with this situation.

Although i'm not currently a DTRFG officer i've worked with them long enough to be sure all current officers appreciate your efforts.

A round of applause from me biggrin

ttr steve · Devon's Best

Well done chaps

Jt let me know about the event please. I would be interested in that, as I am meant to be doing a bit now!

Steve

jt · Powermonger!!

I'll leave it to gruff, to many cooks and all that.

Andybow · Sportsman

Well done JT and Gruff, I don't want to get stopped at all, but if I do at least the trf has been on the case

Gruff growl · Clubman A

Hi Folks,

below is the email reply that I have received from Sargent Squires.

Mark,

Many thanks for getting in touch and I am aware that in these cases it is often the minority that spoil it for the majority.

I have had a call this evening from John Tan****, also from TRF, and we will be speaking prior to the next operation with a view to working together.

Thanks again,

Regards,

Andy Squires

PS 4565 Andy SQUIRES
Neighbourhood Team Leader

Sidmouth and Seaton

jt · Powermonger!!

He seems a decent chap - I will let you know when he gets in contact mate and let you take the lead if so desired - if not I am happy to deal.

Either way we will need some willing bods wink Also could do with some TRF leaflets anyone have some?

chriscole · Clubman A

Thank you and well done John and Mark. if you need help with the police operation give me a shout

Chris

ttr steve · Devon's Best

+1

doug9270 · Powermonger!!

Available to help.

Andybow · Sportsman

Available to help also

chriscole · Clubman A

I have some TRF leaflets

jt · Powermonger!!

chriscole wrote:
I have some TRF leaflets

Great - thanks, will be in touch as and when req smile