THE BRAKES are being put on motorbike riders who try and bend the rules, as police rev up road safety across the summer months with the launch of a joint operation in Tamworth on Monday.
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Oxley police are behind the wheel of Operation Soteria, along with highway patrol officers and Tamworth Regional Council workers, in an effort to crack down on riders who put their safety and the community at risk.
Oxley Detective Inspector Jason Darcy told the Leader police had seen an influx of dirt bike riders in West Tamworth from Gipps Street all the way across the area.
Detective Inspector Darcy said there had been "countless" incidents involving motorbikes, including some serious accidents. Tragically, a man in his 30s died after his bike crashed near Warral Road in September.
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"The whole concept is about safety ... the objective is trying to protect people that might not be able to protect themselves," he said.
Detective Inspector Darcy reminded riders to think about other road users before making potentially risky decisions, and said the operation would target riders on unregistered bikes and riding without helmets.
He said police and other organisations had seen some offenders with a "total disregard" for authority.
Police are also hopeful the targeted operation could help cut down on some property crime.
Detective Inspector Darcy warned that infringement notices may be issued to people caught out during Operation Soteria and bikes could potentially be seized.
He urged the community to make any reports directly to Tamworth police or Crime Stoppers.
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