South Wales Police have carried out a series of raids and made 11 arrests as part of a new campaign targeting the illegal use of e-bikes and motorcycles, which has become a growing problem in Cardiff and across Wales.
The force has acknowledged the issue, with the main reports coming from five areas of Cardiff: Llandaff, Caerau, Whitchurch, Tremorfa and Ely. The clampdown, named Op Grebe, focuses on bikes – including electric bikes, motorcycles, and off-road bikes – being ridden illegally.
Raids and arrests across South Wales
Warrants connected to illegal bike use saw 11 people arrested across the force area on Friday, October 23. These occurred across Cardiff, Pontypridd, Merthyr Tydfil and Swansea, with bikes seized for destruction and arrests made for drug offences in connection.
In one incident this week, police officers driving along Whitchurch's Park Road at around 5pm on Monday saw two males riding together on a Sur-Ron in the direction of Whitchurch centre. They abandoned their bike and tried to run away from officers, but after a short foot chase, police made two arrests. Seized, along with the bike, were weighing scales, burner phone, drugs, and cash.
A police spokesperson said: "A 19-year-old man and 16-year-old boy from Gabalfa were arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply cannabis. Following further searches, the 19-year-old was also arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply cocaine. An investigation is on-going."
Community concerns and witness reports
Residents have reported witnessing suspected drug deals involving e-bikes in broad daylight. One local resident who spotted a suspected drug deal in Whitchurch and reported it to police said: "I was walking towards the village around 3pm in the afternoon. It was really busy with parents going to the local primary schools to collect their children.
"There was a man standing on the corner of a street near the main road when a what looked like a young lad on an ebike and wearing a balaclava pulled up and they exchanged a small package and money. It all happened very quickly. You see the bikes out and about all the time but that was the first time I saw what looked like a drug deal in brought daylight, when the area was so busy."
Another resident said they had seen at least three suspected drug deals taking place at around 11am on a Saturday morning in the Gabalfa area of the city. Residents claim that suspected dealers on e-bikes can regularly be seen travelling through neighbouring communities.
Police response and new tactics
Assistant chief constable Tom Williams, leading the operation, said: "We've heard the community's concerns and these warrants are the first of many that will be happening across the force as we look to tackle this issue.
"Last month we launched this operation 'Spot it. Report it. We're on it.' asking the public to report their concerns to us, to help us target this issue. This week's arrests and seizures are as a direct result of this intelligence, and I thank everyone who has taken the time to report to us so we can take action."
Superintendent Emma Fox added: "We're deploying specialist assets including drone teams, our new Sur-Ron team, and plain clothes officers to identify and catch these offenders and bring them to justice. My message to those who ride bikes illegally is this: We're coming for you."
The force has unveiled its own fleet of high-powered Sur-Ron electric bikes to respond to incidents in areas where traditional vehicles can't be used. They also recently invested in training for drone pilots, along with six new drones purchased between the force and the Police Crime and Commissioner.
Explaining more about the campaign on BBC's Crimewatch Live, ACC Williams said: "I want the public to know we are taking the illegal use of bikes, and linked anti-social behaviour or organised criminal activity, very seriously.
"This campaign is three stages, informing the public on what illegal bike use looks like, making it easy for them to report it to us, then us taking action from the intelligence submitted. If you have doorbell, dashcam, or any other footage or information, tell us.
"As always, the success of this work will rely on the support of the communities we serve, this is not something we can do alone. My plea to anyone who has information about those who use these illegal bikes including where they ride them and where they store them is to tell us via our online portal.
"We're continuing to invest in the technology and capabilities needed to identify and pursue those responsible. This includes expanding our drone team and exploring additional equipment to strengthen the evidence we can gather and increase opportunities to bring offenders to justice. My message to those who ride bikes illegally is simple: We're coming for you."
He added that since the launch, there had been 25,000 views and 6,000 pictures uploaded. The force has also urged parents not to buy the bikes as Christmas presents. Police officer Nick Thomas said: "We don't want to be taking Christmas presents off people on the roadside. We would say to parents, if you are being urged to buy them, do your homework. You can only use them on private land with the landowners permission. You can't use them on the roads or on pavements."
Residents say they want to see a greater police presence and a more visible response to reports of suspected drug dealing in the area. The public can report bikes being ridden illegally, and upload any pictures or videos via the force's online portal.
