This shocking image shows a reckless biker tearing up parkland on an off-road motorcycle – with a toddler perched on his lap.
The man was spotted by a police helicopter in Coventry as the force launched a ‘Bank Holiday blitz’ on anti-social behaviour.
And, in a separate incident, a biker was caught riding the wrong way down a dual carriageway in Shirley, Solihull.
West Midlands Police said: “Shocking helicopter footage shows the toddler perched on the reckless rider’s knee
“Our Traffic Unit had additional police bikers out over the long weekend looking for anti-social louts riding off-road bikes illegally on roads and grassland.
“They seized a total of nine bikes…including this mini-moto spotted on Sunday being ridden by a 28-year-old man with his two-year-old child on his knee.
“The man handed the child to family members on realising he was being monitored overhead before speeding off in a failed bid to out-run the helicopter.
“He was detained near Old Church Lane, Longford, where the bike was seized.
We’ve issued him with a Notice of Intended prosecution for careless driving and riding a bike in a dangerous condition; we’ll liaise with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) over the possibility of additional charges.
“Referrals have also been made to child services due to the potential harm the child was subjected to on the bike.
“We seized nine off-road bikes over the weekend in our campaign against lout riders.”
Traffic Sergeant Mitch Darby, said: “It’s hard to believe anyone would expose any child, let alone their own, to such danger. The child was balanced precariously on the rider’s lap, obviously with no helmet or protective clothing, as he rode across grassland.
“It doesn’t bear thinking about what could have happened had he lost control or the child fallen from the bike.
“Apparently the bike was a birthday present – but we’ve now seized it and will be looking to crush it. Bikes like this cannot be ridden legally on public land; they can only be ridden on private land with the landowner’s permission. And they cannot be ridden on our roads.
“We will continue our offensive against illegal off-road bikers throughout the summer. We know they are the bane of our communities and people want us to take action. I hope operations like this show we’re listening and acting on their concerns.”
The force continued: “Two quad bikes were stopped and seized on the A34 in Shirley on Sunday afternoon, including one being ridden the wrong was down the carriageway.
“This 19-year-old was arrested for dangerous driving
“A 19-year-old was arrested for aggravated vehicle taking and dangerous driving; he’s been released under investigation pending advice from the CPS.
“The other seven bikers have all been summoned to court for driving offences and their bikes seized.
“To report illegal, anti-social off-road biking contact us via Live Chat at WMP Online or call us on 101.”
