Brent Council and police face calls to act on Alperton biker meet-ups

Residents of the Grand Union development in Alperton have called on Brent Council and police to tackle weekly motorbike gatherings on Beresford Avenue. The gatherings, held every Friday evening, have led to complaints about excessive noise, litter and dangerous driving, with some residents describing the disruption as a predictable weekly nuisance.

Enforcement powers exist but challenges remain

Brent Council confirmed it holds enforcement powers under its Nuisance Vehicle Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO). A council spokesperson said the order provides tools to address vehicle-related antisocial behaviour, but cloned or false number plates have hindered efforts to identify offenders. Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras have flagged vehicles using altered plates.

The Metropolitan Police’s Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) acknowledged the issue in emails seen by the Local Democracy Reporting Service. Officers described the problem as well-known and subject to ongoing patrols, but said the scale and complexity require more than local policing resources. The matter has now been escalated to the Brent Joint Action Group (BJAG), a multi-agency forum.

Residents demand visible action

Jamie, a resident of the Grand Union development, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that police recognition of the issue has not translated into visible enforcement. He said the gatherings are not spontaneous but occur at the same time and place each week, yet residents continue to face noise, litter and dangerous driving with little intervention.

Jamie added that the disruption extends beyond residents, affecting local businesses, road users and taxpayers who fund repeated clean-up operations. He said agencies must use existing powers consistently before the situation worsens. The nearby Ace Cafe has reportedly closed due to the disruption, with staff citing a lack of police engagement.

Alperton ward councillor Anton Georgiou said residents should not have to endure persistent complaints before action is taken. He called for a coordinated approach between the council, police and other agencies to send a clear message that antisocial behaviour will not be tolerated. Georgiou highlighted concerns about dangerous riding, engine revving and litter left on the road.

What happens next

The Brent Joint Action Group is now considering long-term solutions. A council spokesperson said the group is exploring additional measures, including High Court injunctions, which have been used by other councils to tackle organised vehicle meets. The next steps will depend on the group’s recommendations, with no timeline yet confirmed for further action.