CCTV helps in the challenge of illegal riders as crackdown targets anti-social behaviour in Ashington
Illegal motorcycle, e-bike and e-scooter riders are being put on notice as police, and partners combine forces to tackle anti-social behaviour that continues to affect communities across Northumberland.
Over the past month, Northumbria Police's Neighbourhood Policing Teams in Ashington, Cramlington and Seaton Delaval, working alongside Northumberland County Council, have seized 16 e-scooters, three electric bikes, a motorcycle and two mopeds — all linked to reports of anti-social behaviour including riding on pavements at speed and operating without licence or insurance. Neighbourhood inspectors have been unequivocal: this will not stop here, and vehicles belonging to those who continue to flout the rules will be seized and crushed.
Ashington Town Council is proud that its town-wide CCTV network, operated under contract by local firm Asset Watch, is playing an active role in this work. The Council understands that whilst officers cannot always pursue riders on safety grounds, intelligence gathering is key — and CCTV coverage across Ashington enables the Neighbourhood Policing Team to track riders and their vehicles, build evidence, and bring offenders to account.
Crime detection and prevention are not roles that are always associated with Town and Parish Councils. However, Ashington Town Council has invested in its CCTV infrastructure using the power available to it under Section 19 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998, which enables parish and town councils to spend money on initiatives that reduce crime and disorder in their area. This Council has chosen to use that power — and its investment in a town-wide network operated by local firm Asset Watch means that those causing misery for Ashington residents have nowhere to hide.
Cllr Mark Purvis, Chair of Ashington Town Council, said: "In 2024 we made the decision to enter into a new contract that significantly improved our CCTV provision across Ashington. To do that, we increased the precept — and that is never a decision this Council takes lightly. We did it because we hoped it would make residents feel safer and that it would actively support the prevention and detection of crime. That motion was carried unanimously, and I think this latest police action shows exactly why that investment matters.
"We have a CCTV Liaison Group whose councillors meet quarterly to continually assess how this system is performing and whether it is delivering value for the town. At £50,000 a year, it is a significant commitment — but one we believe is justified when we see it contributing to operations like this."
If you witness anti-social behaviour involving motorcycles, electric bikes or e-scooters, please report it. If someone is in immediate danger, call 999. For non-emergency incidents, call 101 or report online at northumbria.police.uk.
Bikes and e-scooters seized as action taken on anti-social behaviour in Northumberland towns
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