A suspected bike thief who is also accused of assaulting a PCSO has been arrested as part of a clamp down.

Officers and PCSOs working to tackle anti social riding in the Dover district were on patrol in Aylesham's Dorman Avenue North when they approached a person with a motorcycle.

During the incident on the morning of Sunday, June 8 2020, a PCSO was assaulted, and the rider left the scene on foot.

The bike, which was recovered by officers, was believed to be reported stolen from a car park in Middle Street in Deal on November 16, 2019.

A 19-year-old man from the Aylesham area was arrested shortly after on suspicion of stealing a motorcycle and assaulting an emergency worker.

He was released under investigation while enquiries continue.

The arrest is the latest result by officers who have been proactively targeting and disrupting those responsible for nuisance riding around the district.

Since April - the beginning of lockdown - at least 24 Section 59 warnings have been issued to motorcyclists under the Road Traffic Act.

It means if they are stopped again for being a nuisance within a 12-month period, their vehicle can be seized and impounded.

To date, four vehicles have been seized by officers, one of which was following a Section 59 warning.

Cllr MJ Holloway, Dover District Council’s cabinet member for community safety, said: "This is part of a wider operation dealing with motorbike nuisance across the district, in particular noise over weekends and during the evenings.

"DDC will be working with Kent Police over the coming summer months to clamp down on anti-social behaviour involving motorbikes, which causes a real nuisance for local communities."

'DDC will be working with Kent Police over the coming summer months to clamp down on anti-social behaviour involving motorbikes'

Kent Police Inspector Fred McCormack of Dover CSU said: "We understand the concerns reported to us regarding nuisance motorbikes in the area and it is not tolerated.

"CSU officers led by PC Maria Redgwell have been working hard to respond to reports made to us and they will continue to carry out patrols across the district with the aim of disrupting those responsible for this anti-social behaviour.

"We are grateful to members of the public who have reported these incidents and encourage them to continue reporting to help inform the action we are taking."

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