Surrey Police have stopped 407 motorcyclists during Operation Downsway, an annual summer campaign across Surrey and Sussex to cut down on illegal riding and driving. Although it’s not just about noise, the bikers were said to have been stopped for issues including loud pipes and speeding. We don’t know whether they were prosecuted or just cautioned, but it’s still a pretty big number.

Surrey Police Chief Inspector Karen Coyne told BBC South East: “We want to stop these riders and actually speak to them. Officers enjoy doing it because it’s a chance for them to be really proactive.” She added that 394 car drivers had also been stopped as part of Operation Downsway, which targets five main offences: excess speed, not wearing a seatbelt, distractions (ie using a mobile), drink/drug driving, and careless or inconsiderate driving. Noise is certainly an issue in Surrey, with the biker café Ryka being the subject of several petitions by local residents, complaining about noisy bikes.

Jim Freeman, chair of the BMF said, “Ah, many’s the hour I’ve whiled away at Ryka’s. They even have/had a BMF notice board, I’ve no idea whether that’s still there. Always a rival to the Ace in an arguably more pleasant spot. Noise has been an issue for as long as I can remember, which is longer than I care to think about these days. Nostalgic as Proust’s madeleines for some riders perhaps, but a massive pain in the butt if you’re sitting in the garden listening to the umpteenth yo-yo wailing a ‘race pipe’ up Box Hill. I’m glad that Surrey are being ‘nice’ about it and having an avuncular chat, rather than inserting a load of noise cameras and printing cash. At least I hope that’s the message here and that they’re not going for a two-front strategy. ”

Written by Peter Henshaw

Top image courtesy of Operation Downsway/Lewes Police