Leeds councillors call for 'urgent review' into proposals to axe off-road bike police team

Councillors have hit out at plans which could see Leeds’ dedicated off-road police bike team moved into neighbourhood policing.

A petition titled “Save the Leeds Off-Road Bike Team” was launched last week as the force said “operational changes” may be on the way.

More than 990 people have put their names to the Save Leeds Off-Road Bike Team online petition.

Bramley and Stanningley Labour councillor Kevin Ritchie said the team was crucial in tackling issues in parks, green spaces and part of the canal that passes through his ward.

He said: “The team have done some excellent work tackling the ever-increasing nuisance bikes and associated criminality.

“I share my constituents’ concerns, particularly in light of recent incidents on the canal towpath.

“The off-road bike team provide a unique service in responding to and tackling these crimes and incidents. I hope there is an urgent review of the decision.”

Leeds Liberal Democrat leader Stewart Golton said he had asked for an urgent briefing with elected members to understand the reasons behind the move.

Coun Golton, who chairs the council’s communities scrutiny board, said: “Taking officers from a specialist off-road bike team to assign them to neighbourhood policing teams feels like robbing Peter to pay Paul.

“It is also worrying that senior officers feel more obliged to respond to Home Office accounting rules when deploying staff than responding to community priorities.”

The petition was launched after West Yorkshire Police said there could be “operational changes” in neighbourhood policing.

Assistant chief constable Damien Miller said: “To continue to meet government funding requirements and strengthen our neighbourhood policing, some operational changes may be required including moving standalone teams into neighbourhood policing.

“The work carried out by these standalone functions will still continue.”