Police launch new operation targeting anti-social behaviour on motorbikes, e-bikes and quadbikes

Greater Manchester Police have launched a new operation which will see a coordinated response to tackle and reduce anti-social behaviour (ASB) on motorbikes, e-bikes and quadbikes.

There has been a rise in the number of incidents relating to the anti-social use of motorbikes, e-bikes and quadbikes, both on and off road.

Criminals are also using these modes of transport to commit further crime, including drug supply, burglary and theft.

The anti-social use of these vehicles causes misery within communities, impacting on quality of life and posing danger to those using the region’s roads and open spaces.

Such behaviour has sadly led to fatal and serious injury road traffic collisions, which has a significant effect on riders, their families and local community.

Driven by data collated over the past two-years, a strategy has been devised which highlights districts with the highest reported ASB incidents and high-risk routes across Greater Manchester.

Officers from GMP's Specialist Operations Branch, which includes units such as Roads Policing (RPU), Drone and Motorcycle Unit and the National Police Air Service (NPAS), will join neighbourhood teams in turning out to those specific hotspot areas to deter, detect and disrupt offences from taking place.

Working closely with partners across Greater Manchester, officers will use up-to-date intelligence to help direct them to areas of concern.

Superintendent John-Paul Ruffle, from the Prevention Branch, said: “We understand the majority of motorbike, e-bike and quadbike riders, use their vehicles in a safe and considerate manner and abide by the law.

"But, sadly, there are those that don’t and this poses a serious risk to not only themselves, but other road users also. 

"Anti-social behaviour can take many forms and if it's a problem for you, it's a problem for us.

"It can disrupt our lives, make us feel unsafe in our communities and lead to further and more serious crimes.

“While some people may use off-road bikes in the way they were intended, others use them to ruin parks, playing fields and flagrantly violate traffic laws - which is exactly what this operation is intending to prevent.

 "We target ASB in multiple ways - enhanced hotspot patrols, partnership work, and providing opportunities for young people to keep them from falling into criminality.

"While we always seek to engage, we will also enforce; anyone using these bikes irresponsibly will be spoken to and all appropriate action taken."

“We will use every tool at our disposal, which includes specialist GMP resources to crackdown on this type of crime.

"I would also like to encourage residents to report incidents to us so we can take appropriate action.

“If you know who is using motorcycles anti-socially or to commit crime, let us know.

"Report online or call Greater Manchester Police on 101, or 999 in an emergency.

"Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

“We also want to know where these bikes are being stored.

"Please reach out if you have any information that will help us in our quest to reduce motorcycle-related crime.

“Our priority is to ensure that our roads and open spaces are safe for all.”

---

Do you have a story for us? Want to tell us about something going on in and around Oldham? Let us know by emailing news@oldham-chronicle.co.uk , calling our Oldham-based newsroom on 0161 633 2121 , tweeting us @oldhamchronicle or messaging us through our Facebook page. All contact will be treated in confidence.