Police from Smithfield recently conducted an operation targeting trail bikes in and around Holloways and Machans Beach.A recent increase in the number of riders in the area, coinciding with the cane harvesting season, prompted police to increase their presence in the area.
Holloways Beach Police Beat Officer, Senior Constable Ben Dare has received a number of complaints from cane growers and nearby residents.
“Riding trail bikes in cane fields is an offence, unless you have the express permission from the land owner. There is a blanket “no access” in place for riders around Holloways Beach and Machans Beach,” said Senior Constable Dare.
“The cane fields are both private land and a workplace, the last thing a farmer wants to deal with is trail bikes interfering with the cane harvest, damaging land or worse a trail bike accident on their land.
“You wouldn’t want a farmer ripping up your front lawn on a trail bike. Likewise the farmers don’t want you ripping up their property,” said Senior Constable Dare.
Police located a number of riders on private land during the operation and these riders were issued with a caution for trespass, prosecution will follow should these riders be detected again. Traffic infringements were issued to one rider for a number of offences including unregistered and uninsured. A number of drug related offences were also detected.
Parents are reminded that they should be aware of where their children are riding and ensure they are doing so responsibly, and in the appropriate locations. Children should be supervised and have the appropriate safety equipment.
This is the second operation of this type this year, police expect to run further operations in the future.
Anyone with information regarding illegal trail bike activity is urged to make contact via the following numbers:
- 13HOON (134666) – Hoon Hotline
- Policelink 131 444 for non-urgent reports to police
- ‘000’ Triple Zero if crime is happening now
- Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000
Anyone with information which could assist with this matter should contact Crime Stoppers anonymously via 1800 333 000 or crimestoppers.com.au 24hrs a day.
Crime Stoppers is a registered charity and community volunteer organisation working in partnership with the Queensland Police Service.
For all non-urgent police reporting or general police inquiries contact Policelink on 131 444 or Policelink.qld.gov.au 24hrs a day.