As part of the national Safer Streets Summer Initiative, officers have been out in force tackling anti-social and dangerous riding of motorbikes on the roads and in pedestrianised areas.
On Friday 4 July, officers working as part of Operation Lawmaker – including Police Motorcycle, Warrington Beat Management, Problem-Solving, Force Control Centre and Fleet & Vehicle Recovery teams – were deployed across Warrington for a day of action tackling the ant-social and dangerous riding of motorised and electric-assisted bikes (e-bikes).
This was as part of the Safer Streets Summer Initiative, a country-wide operation between police and partner organisations designed to keep town centres safe and over the summer months (June to September) by using enforcement, diversion, engagement and community support tactics to tackle issues such as anti-social behaviour and street crime.
As part of the operation, the team were deployed into Warrington town centre over the course of the afternoon and seized a total of seven bikes.
One of the bikes seized was a Yamaha XF 50 moped that was identified as having no insurance and no road tax. Despite being alerted to do so, the bike failed to stop for officers in the Church Street area of Fairfield and Howley and, despite being caught up with by officers, the rider decamped and attempted to make off on foot.
The rider, a 27-year-old man from Latchford, was found moments later and arrested on suspicion of failing to stop, driving under the influence of drugs and possession of class A drugs. He has since been released under investigation.
Later that evening, colleagues from the National Police Air Service joined the operation and identified an illegally adapted pedal cycle being ridden by a 16-year-old, who was later detained and found to be in possession of class B drugs.
Sergeant Matthew Salmon, who led the operation, said: “Keeping our roads safe from anti-social and dangerous drivers is a key part of our Safer Summer Streets Initiative, a three-month campaign involving officers across the county and our partner organisations in tackling criminality and disruption head on with bespoke operations such as Lawmaker but also providing diversionary and prevention tactics alongside community engagement opportunities.
“We know that, as the weather improves and the days begin to grow longer, there will be an increased number of motorcyclists on the road, and we do recognise that the majority of riders we engage with do drive safely and are courteous to other road users and pedestrians.
“However, we have seen a small sub-section of riders, primarily using uninsured off-road and electric motorbikes, who believe their own enjoyment is more important than the safety and rights of others.
“In Warrington we have recently launched a campaign to educate the young people and their parents in the rules and regulations surrounding e-bikes in particular, following an increase in the number of the vehicles we have seen being driven on our roads and in pedestrianised areas.
“We do not want to be seen as the fun police, but anyone in possession of an e-bike must be aware of the rules before getting it on the road, including that electrical motor assistance must stop at 15.5mph, key information must be visible on the bike and any rider must be at least 14 years old. Cheshire Police will not tolerate any form of unsafe or reckless riding and officers do have the power to seize bikes not ridden to the required standard and have them crushed.”
1 Comment
well done to the police!