Police ramp up patrols to catch nuisance off-road bikers on Fishwick Golf Course

The former Fishwick Golf Club course has become a hot spot for motorbike nuisance during lockdown.
Police are eager to identify these two males who have been causing a nuisance on  Fishwick Golf course recently. Pic: Lancashire PolicePolice are eager to identify these two males who have been causing a nuisance on  Fishwick Golf course recently. Pic: Lancashire Police
Police are eager to identify these two males who have been causing a nuisance on Fishwick Golf course recently. Pic: Lancashire Police

Police are ramping up patrols at Preston's parks and green sites as they continue to crackdown on nuisance motorbikes.

The former Fishwick Golf Club has become one of the city's hot spots for the anti-social use of motorbikes, with youths speeding around its fairways and greens on a daily basis.

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Since its closure in November 2018, residents say it has become a hot spot for youths on motorbikes and large groups of young people congregating.

Police have seized a quad bike and a scrambler bike after ramping up patrols in Fishwick Golf Course. Pic: Lancashire PolicePolice have seized a quad bike and a scrambler bike after ramping up patrols in Fishwick Golf Course. Pic: Lancashire Police
Police have seized a quad bike and a scrambler bike after ramping up patrols in Fishwick Golf Course. Pic: Lancashire Police

Speaking to the Post earlier this year, one resident, who asked not to be named, said: "It’s become a no-go area for us and for dog walkers too.

"This is due to the motorbikes using the land and it is also encouraging large groups of youths to congregate.

"As the weather becomes nicer I can only see the problem getting worse.

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"I feel it is only a matter of time before somebody gets hurt."

Off-road bikes have also reportedly been causing a nuisance at Ingol Golf Club, Avenham Park, Haslam Park and along the Guild Wheel.

But Lancashire Police said it is ramping up patrols in the city's green spaces, with officers on pedal bikes tasked with targeting those flouting lockdown rules and causing a nuisance.

The force said it has already seized a quad bike and a scrambler bike from two riders following noise complaints from local residents.

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Police said a ticket had been issued to the owner of the scrambler bike under Section 59 of the Police Reform Act 2002.

Officers with Preston Neighbourhood Team are now seeking to identify two young men who were recently filmed riding dangerously at the golf course.

A spokesman for Lancashire Police said: "Regarding the use of bikes on Fishwick Golf Course, we are appealing to members of the local community to help us to identify the males in the pictures.

"We want to deal with the people causing issues on the golf course as quickly and effectively as possible, but to do that, we need your help.

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"Following numerous complaints of noise nuisance, ASB and the dangerous use of bikes on Fishwick Golf Course, officers from Preston Neighbourhood Team have been proactively patrolling this area to begin targeting the issue directly.

"If you know who either of these people are, know who owns either of the very distinctive bikes or can help us to locate them, please email [email protected] with any information you may have.

"If you have any photographic evidence of the bikes in use, send it in so we can begin trying to identify offenders. Any reports will be dealt with anonymously."