Op Hurricane - Off Road Bike Patrols 2nd July - Rochdale North

Update from Sgt Walsh -

Staff from Rochdale North Neighbourhood took part in a joint operation with West Yorkshire Police to tackle Anti Social Behaviour caused by off road bike nuisance with both forces carrying out patrols in their hot spot areas and along the borders of GMP and West Yorks. 

We had a successful evening after frustrating start when a young male on a non road legal Purple Surron bike made off several times. This was captured on body worn video and enquiries are ongoing to identify the male and where the bike is housed, we think its likely from the Brimrod / Sudden area if anyone has any information please let us know.

A male was searched under the Misuse of Drugs act after he was found drinking on the street on Disley Street and there was a strong smell of cannabis

A Yellow Surron bike was seen parked outside an address in the Syke area. The bike was followed up Syke Road to Brownhouse Wham Reservoir where it made off upon seeing us. We returned to the address we had first seen it to find it being hurriedly being pushed into the rear yard. The bike was seized for having no insurance due to it not being road legal the rider reported for no insurance and no driving licence. 

The owner of the bike stated he didn't realise that insurance was needed, we would urge people not to buy these bikes for their children, or if they do to ensure they only go to approved off road bike tracks for usage. These bikes can be lethal as they can go to very high speed and they make almost no noise so people don't hear them approaching. They cause danger to the rider, pedestrians and other road users. There is a sticker clearly visible on the bikes near to the handle bars which states the bikes are not to be used on public roads so there should be no excuses. The owner had paid a lot of money for the bike and there is a high change they wont be able to get it back so its unfortunate for them however by getting this bike off the roads we may have saved someone coming to harm in the future so we make no apologies for taking this action.

A short time after that bike was recovered we saw a child riding an electric off road bike on Cronkeyshaw Common with his parent watching. We stopped the bike as it then left the common and was seen riding along a nearby street. The rider was found to be nine years old! The bike was seized and a care plan will be submitted in relation to the parents willingly allowing and watching their child riding this bike round on the roads without a helmet.