POLICE in Warrington have crushed 21 off-road bikes following reports of anti-social riding in the town.
Operation HardHit was launched earlier this year in response to multiple reports from members of the local community of off-road bikers causing anti-social behaviour, riding without helmets in pedestrian areas and actively evading law enforcement on electric motorbikes. The initiative was designed to curb future irresponsible riding in the area.
Officers from the Northern Problem-Solving and Neighbourhood Policing teams have been working proactively to dismantle the groups of individuals intent on causing anti-social behaviour in the town, endangering themselves and pedestrians.
On Wednesday 18 September, officers from Warrington Local Policing Unit crushed 21 illegal e-bikes, off-road bikes and quadbikes that had previously been ridden anti-socially or in pedestrianised areas of the town.
Police Constable Dave Carr, who oversaw the operation, said:
“Over recent months, we have seen a considerable spike in reports of young people riding illegal electric and petrol motorbikes within pedestrian areas of the town, driving at considerable speed and whilst not wearing helmets – what they are doing is not only illegal it’s also putting the lives of innocent members of the public at risk.
“The action taken here today as part of Operation HardHit is a positive and proactive response to concerns raised by the local community that will hopefully reassure residents that we will always listen to any problems they have, particularly when it regards a subject as important as road and public safety.
“We know that the use of illegal bikes and anti-social riding is closely linked with other kinds of criminality, and over the next few weeks, we will be stepping up our patrols and will be continuing to seize these illegal bikes – keeping Warrington’s streets safe from those who think they can get away with flouting the rules of the road.”
Inspector Lee Hillyard, of Warrington LPU Neighbourhood, added:”The unsafe and anti-social riding of e-bikes and motorbikes, both legal and illegal, within pedestrian areas remains a priority issue for police in Warrington and the destruction of these illegal bikes here today demonstrates that our officers are taking a direct and robust approach in reducing the harm these riders cause within your communities.
“Our officers will be carrying out high-visibility patrols in hotspot areas at key times across Warrington, targeting those intent on causing a nuisance in their community.
“Over the next few months, we will be continuing to work alongside local communities and our partner agencies in directly targeting addresses linked to drug usage and the anti-social driving and behaviour we are committed to putting a stop to.
“The message is simple: if you are caught riding an illegal e-bike or motorbike, we will seize them, and they will be destroyed.”
Anyone with information regarding the riding of illegal bikes, or the anti-social use of motorbikes or quad bikes in pedestrian areas 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.
