A motorbike seized from a 12-year-old boy in Southend is the first in Essex to be taken from its owner under a new law introduced this year.

The off-road trials bike was taken from the youngster at the weekend when he was seen by police riding on private land at Fossetts Farm, near Waitrose, in Fossetts Lane.

Officers, who had given the boy a first and final warning on June 1, were able to seize the bike under new powers given to them by the Police Reform Act 2002, which came into force early this year.

A police spokesman said: "It was nasty surprise for the adult supervising him too, as he also got a warning. We have received a lot of complaints about off-road driving around this area, because of a lot of people walk their dogs there."

Chief Supt Mick Thwaites, Southend's divisional commander, said: "This is the first in the county and we are planning to seize a lot more like this when people are driving inconsiderately, dangerously or off-road, whatever the circumstances."

The act covers careless, inconsiderate and off-road driving or cars and motorbikes, and driving which is likely to cause alarm or distress to the public.

Published Wednesday, June 18, 2003

Brought to you by the Evening Echo