Vandalized Barriers Allow Illegal Off-Road Vehicles in Leigh Parks

0:00On March 16th, Barriers blocking illegal off-road vehicles from parks and footpaths in Ley have been damaged or removed in recent days. This vandalism hit two main spots, Wesley Lane and Delph Grove, where riders have been causing trouble on green spaces. Local counselor Dane Anderton says it's part of a recent wave of damage from folks riding bikes and quads where they shouldn't. He's pushing for quick repairs and tougher barriers to keep these areas safe. He notes this time of year often ramps up the problem called the silly season for illegal rides. The illegal activity harms paths, endangers walkers, and annoys neighbors. Officials urge residents to report sightings as more tips help gather evidence to seize and crush the vehicles. A crackdown called Operation Handbrake in the Wigan borough has made big gains. In 2025, police grabbed 101 bikes worth over 500,000 pounds, up from 68 the year before. It led to arrests and cut incident reports by up to 66% in hot spots like Wesley.

1:04The operation's success has spread it across all 10 greater Manchester districts, aiming to protect more communities from these disruptions moving forward.