This weekend, I was pleased to join Epping Forest Keepers in a joint operation with Essex Police’s community policing team, rural engagement team, roads policing unit and air support unit working to combat anti-social behaviour in the Forest, particularly nuisance quad bikes and motorcycles.
Epping Forest Keepers are attested constables and have the legal authority to enforce the Epping Forest Act 1878 and the byelaws related to it. They do not, however, have legal authority to act upon criminal matters outside of the Act, which is why collaboration with local police forces is so important for us to help protect and conserve the Forest.
Much of the success of this operation is driven from high visibility in multiple locations across the Forest to discourage poor behaviour. However, this operation has seen five intelligence reports submitted for further work and three Section 59 warning notices issued to individuals (where vehicles are found to have been used to cause distress, alarm or annoyance or used in an anti-social manner). These notices allow Police to enforce warnings and seize vehicles which are being driven in an anti-social manner.
Essex Police Sergeant, Jamie Shepherd, said: ‘’Working together is key in sharing knowledge and resources to provide the biggest impact for our community in driving down incidents of anti-social behaviour. This work was focused specifically on the anti-social use of certain vehicles, which we know is a priority for many residents we engage with. Our aim is simple. It is about preventing, responding and investigating. I want to thank all the staff who took part today and the public who we got to engage with.’’
Chairman of the City of London Corporation’s Epping Forest and Commons Committee, Ben Murphy, said: “There has been a growing and sustained trend of quad bikes, mopeds and motorcycles acting recklessly in the Forest over the summer. This has caused distress to both Forest users and local residents. Despite our Keepers’ best efforts, we have had to call upon support from Essex Police to address concerns about public safety. This is a targeted campaign to demonstrate to those individuals who have been wearing balaclavas, whose numberplates read ‘catch me if you can’ and who have been driving directly towards dog walkers and horses, that we will not stand for it and you will face criminal prosecution if you do not stop”.
Members of the public are encouraged to report issues of concern to Police on 999 in an emergency, or on 101. Any other useful information can be shared with Epping Forest Keepers on 020 8532 1010.
