Letter: Drug Dealing on the Byfleet to Wisley Bridleway

Published on: 1 Aug, 2025
Updated on: 1 Aug, 2025

From A Harold

A few years ago a footpath from Byfleet to Wisley was changed to a bridleway. This meant that not only pedestrians could use the path but also cyclists and horses.

The effect was pedestrians have become too afraid to use the path for fear of encountering cyclists and horses and also, now, motor cyclists. So pedestrians, the main users, have virtually abandoned the path.

Additionally, the path is frequented by drug sellers, sometimes very young, 12 to 14 years of age. They are riding cycles and recently also powerful e-motorbikes which can go up to 60 mph.

These e-motorbikes are illegal and dangerous on footpaths, they do not number plates, so they cannot be identified. The police should use their powers to confiscate any motor cycle which does not have insurance, a clearly visible number plate.

The riders wear balaclavas or masks even in the hot weather, intimidating other users of the paths. Obviously, if they are not doing anything wrong they should not need to hide their identity.

They also carry small shoulder bags to carry their drugs which they can discard easily if they encounter the police. In rural areas they know the police will be in vehicles which cannot gain access to narrow paths.

These paths, particularly in semi rural areas which adjoin built up areas like Byfleet joining up to Wisley, are major routes to distribute sell class A drugs, like heroine etc.

Has anyone of the readers thought that Surrey County Council or other councils have colluded with cyclists in order to improperly change the status of a footpath. I would urge the police to investigate this matter, and, where they think it would help, to insist that gates are installed on these paths. The gates act as a deterrent because they prevent cyclists and motorcyclists from getting away quickly, and they fear they can be apprehended.

A response from Surrey Police was invited. Guildford Borough Commander Insp Blaine Rafferty said that patrols are regularly carried out in that area and he is not aware of drug dealing taking place in that location – if it is, it is not being reported.

He added: “If people do suspect drug dealing is taking place, we would urge the to report it online by using the Live Chat on our web site or calling 101.”

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