By Alesha Capone
POLICE are continuing to crack down on dirt and trail bike riders who flaunt the law within Melton.
Melton Highway Patrol’s Leading Senior Constable Alan Edwards said trail and dirt bike riders breaking the law was “an issue all through Melton”.
Leading Sen Const Edwards said he recently encountered a teenager riding in a side street off Caroline Springs Blvd.
“I actually pulled a young bloke up on Monday morning; he only had a learner’s permit,” he said.
“I believe he was riding to his school exams; he was actually wearing a school uniform.
“He stopped for us immediately, which most don’t do.
“So we gave him a warning and he pushed his bike home.”
Leading Sen Const Edwards said the young man was wearing a helmet and riding correctly, but was travelling in an area he was not permitted to.
Leading Sen Const Edwards said the Highway Patrol Unit also recently caught a 16-year-old rider to whom they have issued with $1000 infringements after he ignored previous warnings.
“It’s extremely difficult to police; it’s often younger kids and if they don’t pull over when asked to we can’t chase them unless we can justify going into a pursuit,” Leading Sen Const Edwards said.
Long-time Caroline Springs resident Joy Cox said she often saw a dirt bike rider travelling illegally on the footpaths along Caroline Springs Blvd on weekends.
“He just cuts straight across the road and he doesn’t care; we have a lot of older people in the area and we are worried one day he will hit someone,” she said.
Senior Sergeant Nicole Warner from Caroline Springs police station said they have been receiving complaints from residents of Westwood Drive about the dirt and trail bike riders.
However, she said, police were hopeful the hoon activity would abate, after Powercor last week finished installing lighting to part of the street, which enabled it to be closed off from a nearby trail.
Anyone with information about illegal dirt and trail bike activity can contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
