Officers working under Operation Lawmaker have seized twelve illegal bikes and made several arrests as they continue in the pursuit of removing dangerously ridden bikes across Warrington.
On Tuesday 7 October, officers from Warrington Beat Management Team, Motorcycle Operations, Northern Problem-Solving Team were deployed to numerous areas including the town centre, Orford, Poplars and Hulme, Fearnhead and Padgate.
With the support of colleagues from the National Police Air Service who joined the teams for a portion of the operation, twelve vehicles were seized during the deployments.
Officers also arrested two men on a moped who failed to stop for police in Orford. The pair were arrested on suspicion of theft of a motor vehicle, with the driver also being arrested for failing to stop, driving without insurance and driving over the specified limit of a controlled drug.
As well as this, a further two off-road motorbikes were seized due to having no insurance in Orford Park, along with a driver who was spotted operating a large tipper-style vehicle being reported for driving whilst disqualified.
Other results included:
• x6 Traffic Offence Reports (TORs) issued
• x4 drivers being summonsed to court
• A PG9 prohibition notice for a dangerous vehicle condition issued
Officers were also approached by many members of the public whilst vehicles were being seized to comment positively on the action taken in their local areas.
Police Sergeant Matthew Salmon, of the Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee, said: “These are great results that will, undoubtedly, have a positive impact on the members of local communities whose lives are continually disrupted by the dangerous and anti-social riding of off-road and non-legal road vehicles. Combating ASB is a key pillar of the Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee with Operation Lawmaker showing our continued commitment in Cheshire to tackling this issue.
“The driving exhibited by these individuals causes not only a nuisance and disruption to local residents, but it also poses a considerable risk to other road users, pedestrians and riders themselves and any passengers riding with them. In Orford Park where we seized two bikes, these could easily have caused damage to football pitches and other public facilities that people have a right to use.
“Our officers continually carry out high-visibility patrols in hotspot areas at key times of the day across our towns, targeting that intent on causing a nuisance and generally disregarding road safety.
“Anyone with information regarding the riding of non-legal or off-road bikes or quad bikes in pedestrian areas or on our roads should contact Cheshire Constabulary on 101 or give the details via the website.”
Alternatively, information can be reported to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via the Crimestoppers website.
