Two dedicated police officers are to be deployed to Levenmouth as part of a groundbreaking approach to tackling illegal bikers.
The seven-month secondment will see the officers clamp down on the growing number of nuisance riders who have been intimidating locals by speeding along roads, pavements and open land.
Other anti-social behaviour, including underage drinking, the theft of bins and wilful fireraising, will also be dealt with.
The move follows scores of complaints from exasperated local people about the longstanding problem of dangerous bikers in particular, amid fears someone will be killed unless action is taken.
Levenmouth councillors will be asked to commit £24,500 to help fund the initiative when they meet on Wednesday.
The remainder of the cost will be met by Police Scotland.
Councillor Colin Davidson, vice-convener of Levenmouth area committee, said he hoped it would lead to a significant reduction in the number of quads and bikes that blight the community.
“It’s about indicating this is behaviour we are not going to tolerate,” he said.
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Calls to police about off-road bikes in Levemouth more than doubled to 1,098 in 2018, 23% higher than in the previous two years combined, and accounted for 59% of all calls about motorbikes across Fife.
If the plan is approved the officers will be in post from this month until October, a peak time for complaints.
It is just one of a number of tactics to curb the nuisance, with a range of other services, including the fire service, housing, parks and open spaces and the voluntary sector also involved.
Mr Davidson described it as groundbreaking and said: “It shows a determination to address the problem once and for all.
“It shows it’s a very, very serious problem and should not be treated solely as a road traffic offence because somebody’s going to be killed or seriously injured.”
Inspector John Docherty of Levenmouth police station said the issue was a growing trend and “a matter of significant worry”.
“I want to reassure our communities that we are listening, that this is being treated as a priority and that we are working to address concerns through a partnership approach,” he said.
The approach will involve prevention as well as intervention and Mr Docherty said safe places for young people to go were actively being sought.
“We want to discourage a repeat of last year’s behaviour while encouraging them to make better choices,” he said.
“Enforcement will remain key, with high visibility and non-uniform patrols in place.”
The police say they cannot address the issue without the public’s support and have urged people to continue recording any concerning behaviour, if it is safe to do so, and pass it to Levenmouth’s community policing team via 101.
