Operation Kickstart: Police crackdown on kids on dirt bikes

Children in one regional Queensland town are causing chaos, riding dirt bikes dangerously while unlicensed. Here’s how police plan to put a stop to it.

Police have charged multiple children who are allegedly causing chaos through Charleville, causing traffic accidents as they ride dirt bikes unlicensed.

Officers have charged mutiple young people with unlicensed driving, while another is facing six charges of dangerous driving.

Police have also seized one motorbike.

The charges came as police began Operation Kickstart – a move to stamp out the growing issue.

Charleville Police’s Sergeant Cory Lubbock said police were not aiming to discourage kids from partaking in activities that keep them out of trouble, but the activity had become a nuisance to residents and a threat to safety.

“We don’t want to deter kids from doing something perfectly legal and productive,” Sgt Lubbock said.

“When kids aren’t doing something productive property crime starts going on.”

Police are encouraging kids to take their dirt bike riding to back tracks, away from houses and main roads, so that they can continue to enjoy the activity safely and without disrupting local residents.

A new police liaison is expected to start in Charleville in the near future, which police hope will promote community engagement.