We don’t normally use our website to comment on local issues, but sometimes it feels right to acknowledge something that is happening around us.

There is currently increased attention across the Northeast around motorcycle and bike-related crime and anti-social behaviour, with Northumbria Police carrying out ongoing work in the area.

As a local, family-run storage business, this is something we have been conscious of. We operate within local communities, our customers live and work in those communities, and ultimately, we all have a responsibility to make sure they remain safe and pleasant places to live.

This isn’t about pointing fingers.

It isn’t about suggesting that people who own or use bikes are doing anything wrong, and it certainly isn’t aimed at our customers.

The vast majority of people who ride motorcycles, e-bikes and other bikes do so perfectly responsibly. But when bikes are used illegally, ridden in inappropriate places or become associated with anti-social behaviour, it can have a knock-on effect on residents, businesses, and responsible riders alike.

Where bikes are used matters

We would encourage riders to think about where they are using their bikes.

Road-going motorcycles and other legally permitted vehicles should be used in accordance with the law, while off-road bikes should only be ridden in areas where they are specifically permitted or where the appropriate permission has been given.

Footpaths, parks, nature reserves and private land aren’t automatically places where off-road bikes can be ridden. Apart from potentially being unlawful, inappropriate use can damage land, disturb wildlife and cause problems for other people using those spaces.

It is a relatively simple message: ride responsibly, use the right places and respect the people and communities around you.

There is another side to this — batteries

There is also a wider storage issue that is worth talking about.

E-bikes, scooters and other battery-powered equipment are becoming increasingly common, and so are the lithium-ion batteries that power them.

These batteries are generally safe when used correctly, but a damaged, defective or incorrectly charged battery can present a serious fire risk.

That is why responsible storage matters.

Anyone storing battery-powered equipment should follow the manufacturer’s guidance, use the correct charger and never charge or use a battery that appears damaged or faulty.

For storage operators like us, this is something we take seriously. Security and fire safety are not simply boxes to tick; they are part of running a responsible storage business.

Why are we talking about this?

Because ignoring an issue doesn’t make it go away.

We are a local family business. We have sites in the communities we serve, and we want to be part of those communities for the long term.

That means being aware of what is happening around us, taking reasonable precautions and working constructively with the relevant authorities when appropriate.

It also means recognising that the actions of a small number of people can sometimes create problems for a much wider group.

Our message is therefore a simple one:

Use bikes responsibly. Use them where they are permitted. Look after your batteries. Respect local communities.

And if you are storing equipment with batteries, take the associated fire-safety considerations seriously.

For further information about the work currently being carried out by Northumbria Police in relation to motorcycle crime and disorder, you can find their information here:

Northumbria Police – Motorcycle Crime & Disorder

We will continue to do our part to provide secure, responsible storage and to support the communities in which we operate.