The Royal Borough of Greenwich council have introduced a fine for illegal driving of mopeds and motorbikes within of their parks which have raised many complaints from residents and visitors of Greenwich’s parks.

The driving of these vehicles in parks can cause accidents and therefore poses a risk to visitors at parks around Greenwich and even their pets.

The fine if caught will be £1000 and the council have encouraged the public to report to the police or contact the council.

Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Enforcement Jackie Smith stated that “The council and police have come together to address the problem of nuisance moped and motorbike riders in parks across the borough. We are encouraging members of the public to share information that can help identify riders and nuisance vehicles.”

 The council will also hope that the enforcement of the fine will also help reduce the number of mopeds/motorbikes stolen as the likelihood of being caught will be increased. Many of the vehicles stolen are used to aid other crimes so the Greenwich council will hope the crime rate will decrease as a whole. It is advised that vehicle owners lock their vehicles up to also prevent them being stolen.

Danny Pearce a 24-year-old man was shot and stabbed in 2020 after two men in mopeds drove up to him outside Oliver’s Jazz Club in Greenwich in 2020. The two men attempted to Danny Pearce’s watch but after their failed attempt they brutally murdered him in front of his girlfriend.

Within Greenwich there were 454 reported cases of bicycle theft in 2021 and 3,155 vehicle crime reports. Although both of these numbers are below the average within London everybody within Greenwich will be keen to see these figures decrease.

The fine for riding vehicles in the parks within Greenwich was announced on the 13th of January and will be introduced with immediate effect.