Two arrested as rogue off-road riders targeted in day of action

We have arrested two men, recovered a stolen motorcycle and seized nuisance vehicles after stepping up our fight against the illegal and anti-social use of off-road bikes and vehicles.

It follows a number of complaints made by local communities of machines being ridden dangerously and causing distress, noise, disruption and damage across the Newcastle, Stoke-on-Trent and Moorlands areas.

The operation saw high-visibility proactive patrols carried out in hotspot areas by officers from Newcastle and Stoke North and Stoke South local policing teams (LPTs), alongside our dedicated Road Policing Unit (RPU) on Sunday (12 May).

A National Police Air Service (NPAS) aeroplane and resident tip-offs were among the tactics used to catch riders putting members of the public and themselves at risk. Specially-trained officers on three off-road bikes were also deployed.

During the day of action a Honda motorcycle stolen from Stoke on 19 March was recovered in Endon after being tracked by NPAS and RPU officers on off-road bikes. This followed a report of anti-social behaviour (ASB) on Dividy Road, Bentilee, just after 12pm.

A 27-year-old man, from the Stoke-on-Trent area, was arrested on suspicion of theft of a motor vehicle, handling stolen goods, driving a motor vehicle dangerously and burglary.

Another man, also 27 and from the Stoke-on-Trent area, was arrested on suspicion of handling stolen goods, theft of a motor vehicle, driving a  motor vehicle dangerously, driving a motor vehicle otherwise than accordance with a licence, drug driving, failing to stop, having no insurance, and burglary.

Both men have been released on conditional bail while our enquiries continue.

A short time later NPAS helped officers on the ground track two men wearing balaclavas on a motorbike from Brindley Ford to land off Brown Lees Road, Knypersley.

The machine was seized by officers for having no insurance after it was dumped in bushes. A cycle helmet and clothing were recovered nearby and our investigations continue.

Two mini-moto bikes being ridden on pavements in Abbey Hulton were also seized by our officers.

Sergeant Daniel Egerton said: “This successful operation serves as a positive indication to members of our local communities that we continue to tackle vehicle-related ASB and will employ effective and robust tactics in order to track, locate and deal with suspects.

“On many occasions the actions of those involved have not only been anti-social but also reckless and criminal. Riders risk injuring themselves, other road users and pedestrians. They will be dealt with accordingly through disqualification, arrest and prosecution.”

David Williams, Cabinet Member for Community Safety at Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: "The success of this operation reflects the deepening partnership approach being taken by the council and the police.

“We have a shared mission to prevent and tackle crime and anti-social behaviour across our city and to make our communities great places for each and every one of us.

"When we are out listening to residents on their doorsteps, they tell us that they want to feel safe where they live and they want to feel safe when they are out and about across the city.

"With the police, we will continue to tackle head on the issues that residents care about; whether that's off-road and stolen bikes, nuisance neighbours or concerns around our town centres and green spaces. It's really important that residents continue to talk to us so that we can keep working together in partnership to make our communities safer".

We launched Operation Transom as part of our efforts to tackle nuisance off-road motorbikes in partnership with Stoke-in-Trent City Council.

Part of this work has seen increased patrols around hotspot areas and seizing bikes that are used to commit ASB.

To report nuisance bikes in your area, call the council on 01782 233400.

You can also report incidents to us through Live Chat on our website, or by calling 101.

You can also call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.