Thames Valley Police has recently been alerted to motorbikes riding on footpaths within the Kingsgrove estate in Wantage. This activity is reportedly an effort to bypass the bus-only entrance in the area.
Kingsgrove, located on the outskirts of Wantage, was approved for development in 2015 and currently houses hundreds of residents. The estate is planned to expand into a larger community featuring over 1,500 homes, along with amenities such as a train station, supermarket, medical centre, and gym.
A police spokesperson noted, “We’ve received several reports of motorbikes using footpaths to avoid the bus-only entrance on the Kingsgrove estate. This behavior is dangerous, illegal, and poses a risk to pedestrians, including families and children.” They further emphasized that enforcement actions are being actively pursued, with repeat offenders receiving Section 59 warnings under the Police Reform Act 2002.
Under this Act, a Section 59 warning indicates that if a person is caught using a vehicle in an inconsiderate or anti-social manner, they may face a formal warning. This includes riding a motorbike on a footpath, as observed in Kingsgrove. If a repeat offense occurs within a year, police have the authority to seize the vehicle, irrespective of its use at the time.
The spokesperson concluded by urging local residents to report such incidents via 101 or online to help maintain community safety: “Our goal is to keep everyone safe. If you witness this happening, please report it.”
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