Northumbria Police have seized a pimped-up pedal bike that had been converted into an e-bike capable of reaching speeds up to 72mph. The bike was among more than 30 motorcycles, e-bikes and scooters confiscated during a crackdown on anti-social behaviour.
Officers made 23 arrests during the operation, which took place earlier this month to mark Anti-Social Behaviour Awareness Week. The force's neighbourhood policing teams increased patrols in parks, green spaces and town centres linked to reports of anti-social behaviour, with a heightened presence at the coast as part of Operation Coastwatch.
Arrests and Seizures
More than 20 people were arrested for offences ranging from serious assault to dangerous driving. A total of 34 motorcycles, e-bikes and scooters were seized, including the converted pedal bike capable of 72mph.
Police said a variety of tactics were used to target illegal bike riders, with support from drone specialists, local authorities, the force's dedicated road safety team and its motorcycle anti-social behaviour team. Officers also used the 'Trojan Bus', a fake bus with undercover officers posing as passengers, to catch illegal riders off guard.
Education and Dispersal Orders
Police, fire service and council staff attended schools to give educational talks on anti-social behaviour, the illegal use of motorcycles and fire safety. Several dispersal orders were issued, giving officers the power to exclude individuals from designated areas to prevent crime, disorder or public harassment.
Official Comments
Ch Supt Darren Adams, of Northumbria Police, said: “Anti-social behaviour has no place in our communities and we will continue to show zero tolerance to this issue. We recognise this is a key issue for our businesses and residents and we are listening.
“We are employing every tactic available to us to bring this behaviour to an abrupt stop. Whether it takes eyes in the sky or boots on the ground, there is nowhere to hide for people who continue to flout the rules and act in an anti-social manner. We will find and arrest those responsible and bring them to justice.”
He added: “It’s also key that we make youngsters aware of the dangers they pose to themselves and others if they were to decide to take part in anti-social behaviour. Motorcycle anti-social behaviour is especially dangerous and can result in people getting seriously injured as we have sadly seen across our force area.
“I would also like to request that people in our communities continue to report any suspicious activity from their area to us. This information can often prove extremely valuable in our quest to bringing offenders to a stop.
“Please reach out to us online if you have any information which you think we need to be aware of – and we can then look to take the appropriate action.”
Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner Susan Dungworth added: “ASB Week delivered some really positive results this month, with numerous bike seizures and significant arrests.”
