On the evening of Tuesday 12th April 2016 Southern Neighbourhood Policing Team Officers attended an area known as ‘Cross Vein’, adjacent to Rushen Mines along with DEFA staff. This was in response to a report from the local shepherd that off road motorcyclists had gained access to an area of sensitive open hill land. Three local males made themselves known to Police as having been those responsible. It became apparent that the men aree also involved in competitive motorcycling (albeit not at the time that the offences were committed).
Subsequently, a joint investigation between the Isle of Man Constabulary, DEFA and the Isle of Man Centre of the Auto Cycle Union (ACU) has been carried out resulting in the three males receiving Police Cautions for offences under the Road Traffic Act as well as being sanctioned by the ACU independently of any Police action.
Gary Thompson, General Secretary of the ACU states: “The riders concerned are now subject to a lengthy suspension of their ACU license preventing them from participating in any ACU events until the suspension expires”. This includes all two wheeled events sanctioned by the ACU both in the Isle of Man and UK.
This incident took place in an area of registered heath known to be frequented by breeding hen harrier and curlew which are both species of high conservation concern. The incident took place during the early spring period when upland birds are starting to establish their chosen breeding territories. In addition to the birdlife such activities can also disturb lambing ewes and directly damage sensitive habitats containing rare plants.
Sgt Adrian Shimmin, in charge of SNPT would say “The message is quite clear. Do not ride or drive any form of motor vehicle on any land without permission of the landowner. Such action can lead to those responsible finding themselves in front of a court and the subject of broader sanctions from governing bodies such as the ACU”.
He would also say “our staff work closely with the officers from DEFA in relation to a range of wildlife and countryside issues across the Island, we are really pleased to also work with the ACU in this case, and there is a clear commitment from all, to work together to deal with any similar occurrences in the future”
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