Hedge End News in The News This Week (to 27 June)

On Tuesday, 22 June, the Andover Advertiser carried a story about recent results in Hampshire police’s campaign to remove illegally modified, or derestricted, mopeds from the roads.

A moped must have an engine capacity under 50cc and do a maximum 31mph or it becomes a light motor cycle for which riders need an A1 category on their licence. In recent operations in Hedge End, Eastleigh, Bitterne and Shirley 15 derestricted mopeds were seized. In a more recent operation outside the Southampton Football Club stadium St Mary’s four out of 12 mopeds stopped were banned but all due either to riders wearing insufficient protective clothing or failing to fasten their helmets correctly – this is the same offence as riding without one.

Many of the riders questioned told police that they knew of the recent operations in Hedge End, Eastleigh, Bitterne and Shirley and were aware of the campaign focusing on illegally modified mopeds.

The operation also targeted un-roadworthy cars and was led by PC Dan Golding from the Roads Policing Unit working together with PC Mick Gear from Safer Roads Partnership plus police officers from Southampton and the Vehicle Operator Services Agency (VOSA).

Other news in the news this week concerned Hedge End’s MP Chris Huhne, with further revelations about his affair with Carina Trimingham. See the Daily Echo, Daily Mail and The Daily Telegraph.