Stockton West MP Matt Vickers becomes deputy chairman of Conservatives

Mr Vickers, who has been an MP since 2019 and represented Stockton South then the new constituency of Stockton West, said he would work with new party chairman Kevin Hollinrake, MP for Thirsk and Malton, to “take the fight” to the Labour government.

He will also continue in his role as shadow minister for crime, policing and fire, which he has held since his re-election in 2024.

Matt Vickers, Conservative MP for Stockton West and the Shadow Minister for Crime, Policing and Fire. (Image: Conservative Party.)

Mr Vickers said: “I am delighted and honoured to be appointed as deputy chairman of the Conservative Party. I look forward to working together with the Conservative family in the North East and across the country to take the fight to this failing Labour government, and ensure we deliver more MPs and councillors, getting stuff done for local people.

“But it won’t affect anything I do for local residents in Stockton West – I’ll be here just as much and working hard to deliver on the priorities of local people.”

As crime, policing and fire shadow minister, he recently called for tougher action on illegal off-road bikes which he said plagued communities across the country, highlighting Teesside as a hotspot for the growing problem.

Speaking in Parliament, he warned of the devastating impact of off-road bikes tearing through parks, pavements, and estates, saying: “These bikes can now be found in residential areas and green spaces causing absolute havoc for communities. Terrifying elderly people and young families trying to go about their daily lives whilst also being used to enable crime.”

Mr Vickers welcomed measures proposed in a new Crime and Policing Bill, including a change to powers for police to seize some bikes without notice, but criticised ministers for being “too slow and too soft” on the issue.

He said a more robust and aggressive approach was required, and tabled tougher amendments to the Bill to allow police to enter private domestic settings to seize the vehicles, control sales and ensure confiscated bikes are destroyed, not returned to the streets.

He said: “This is not a new problem and the changes will do very little to tackle the issue. We need to allow the police to have much greater powers to seize these bikes and control their sale.

“From Middlesbrough to Stockton and beyond, off-road bikes are causing misery for communities — terrorising children, elderly residents, and families trying to enjoy their local parks. I’ve met with officers on the ground and those directly affected, and it’s crystal clear: we need urgent, robust action now.

“This bill is an opportunity to tackle the issue before it spirals further out of control. We need more neighbourhood policing, tougher laws, and real consequences for those wreaking havoc with these bikes.”