Council leaders have announced plans to deploy metal detectors and off-road bikes in their fight against anti-social behaviour.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council is working with Staffordshire Police on the new projects, which they say will make a real difference in people's lives.

The council is purchasing a portable knife arch which will be used to prevent people carrying weapons into buildings such as schools or pubs.

And it also plans to buy electric off-road motorcycles which will allow specially-trained officers to pursue anti-social bikers who plague open spaces across Stoke-on-Trent.

Councillor Duncan Walker, cabinet member for safer and resilient communities, announced the schemes as the cabinet met to discuss their final budget plans for 2026/27.

Cllr Walker said: "Anti-social behaviour has blighted communities and people's lives for many years. At times it has seemed like the people who are suffering have just been paid lip service to, but now we're taking real action to tackle this.

"Last week we did the ASB pledge with Staffordshire Police, and we're also expanding the case reviews.

"We're in the process of purchasing a portable metal detector, which is like a knife arch which can be used in schools and pubs. That's actively going forward now, and being done in conjunction with the police.

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"If the budget is approved, we will also be purchasing electric off-road bikes. That is one issue that causes all of us and all the residents loads of grief. Residents are forever reporting it and the police have had difficulty chasing after them in cars."

Cllr Walker also announced that the anti-social behaviour team would be receiving new uniforms to make them more visible. Other projects include a refresh of the existing public space protection order in Hanley, and a new system to tracking homelessness encampments in Stoke-on-Trent.

The budget, which includes a 4.99 per cent tax increase, will go to full council for final approval next week.