YOBS who persistently use illegal off-road bikes to cause misery in communities will be targeted through a fresh approach by every neighbourhood policing team in Barnsley in a bid to finally stamp out their behaviour, the Chronicle can reveal.
Last-ditch attempts to end the scourge of off-road biking - something which police bosses said impacts the entirety of the borough - will see a tougher stance taken on offenders in an effort to make them think twice about their antisocial behaviour.
According to Superintendent Mark James, each of Barnsley’s six neighbourhood teams - spanning across the entirety of the borough - have action days booked in with South Yorkshire Police’s dedicated off-road unit to target offenders after a successful period of bike seizures during recent months.
Supt James told the Chronicle: “This continues to be a massive issue in Barnsley and in 2026 it remains a priority for the force and indeed the town’s neighbourhood teams.
“Pit stacks and fields are often used but in reality, this classes as antisocial behaviour and we regularly receive reports of off-road bikes causing chaos.
“It’s a focus for us and our enforcement approach will break the culture - every single neighbourhood team is booked in with our dedicated off-road team but there’s only so much we can do.
“It is difficult for us at times as any chase puts lives at risk - where we claw back mileage on offenders is via the public’s intelligence.
“We again appeal to the public to report any incidents - and addresses of where the riders live or where the bikes are kept - in order for us to continue our work on eradicating this from our communities.”
Longer-term, the police and Barnsley Council are in early discussions to assess areas in the borough where legitimate riding can take place in an effort to keep bikers off the roads, farmers’ and playing fields, while Supt James backed the local authority’s stance on ripping up tenancy agreements for persistent offenders.
Section 59 of the Police Reform Act can be used to carry out evictions if it’s deemed necessary and the offences are serious enough.
“It’s something we support because riders do cause misery in the communities in which they live - it’s a last resort but it is something that can be used,” he added.
“It’s at a stage when off-road biking is an endemic in Barnsley and we’re all too aware of the public’s concern with non-stop offenders.
“However, I can assure people that one of our main priorities this year will be to put a stop to off-road bikers’ behaviour.”
A council report into antisocial behaviour labelled evictions as one of its ‘most significant’ powers and Councillor Wendy Cain, cabinet spokesperson for public health and communities, said the local authority is working alongside the police.
“We’re committed to tackling antisocial behaviour in Barnsley, helping to make our communities and neighbourhoods a safer place for everyone.
“This includes the illegal use of off-road motorcycles and quad bikes, recognising the distress and damage they can cause.
“We work closely with our partners, including South Yorkshire Police and Berneslai Homes, to take proactive action to get these vehicles off our roads and out of other public spaces.
“As per the requirements set out in council housing tenancy agreements, we will continue to explore taking tenancy action against repeat offenders where their actions are affecting the quality of life of those around them.”
