Police targeting nuisance off-road bikers in Deeside say non taken off road yet but operation has been “successful”

Nuisance off-road bikers riding dangerously and illegally in Deeside are being warned their bikes will be seized. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

North Wales Police has launched an operation to tackle off-road bikers following a large increase in reports of anti-social riding. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Operation Blue Takeoff, created by the Proactive Intercept Team’s PC Sarah Smith, has been launched as part of the force’s ongoing drive to tackle the illegal use of off-road bikes. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Reports from residents across Deeside have in recent months significantly increased over concerns about the problem. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

As a result, the operation targeted areas of Flintshire this week, following recent reports some riders have failed to stop for officers in the area, as well as off-road bikes being driven dangerously on pavements and through side streets. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Two dirt bikes on the 33 Football Pitch off Shotton Lane earlier this week

Police say they have dealt with reports of youths seen riding off-road bikes in the Connah’s Quay and Shotton areas, with young people as passengers – both with no helmets or protective equipment. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Intercept officers along with the off-road motorcycle team and the drone team – using drones invisible to those on the ground – were deployed to specific areas identified using special data to target any bikes being used illegally. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

No bikes have been taken off the road as yet but police have said the operation has been “successful” from a prevention point of view, with officers carrying out 13 motorcycle stop checks as well as issuing advice on road safety. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Inspector Matt Subacchi of the Police Interceptors & Drone Teams said: “Reports of nuisance off-road bikes being driven illegally have increased significantly in a number of areas across the force area during the spring and summer months.” ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“The main aim of Op Blue Takeoff is to target motorcyclists riding illegally to prevent risk to the public – and to protect them against fatal injuries.” ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“Off-road bikes can pose a very real threat of danger to any member of the public in the vicinity and indeed the riders themselves.” ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“We understand the frustration that they cause within our communities, and we will continue our efforts to crack down on this anti-social behaviour.” ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Insp Subacchi said: “To anyone considering using off road bikes in an anti-social manner – please don’t risk your life, or the lives of others. Those who do will be caught, and you will have your bike seized.” ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“I hope that members of the public will also support us by providing information about off-road bikes in their area.” ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Police have said the operation will continue to run over coming months and will be targeting multiple areas across North Wales. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Following the operation, Flintshire North Inspector Steve Roberts added: “We are aware of the issues some communities are having with the illegal use of off-road motorcycles. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“In response, we have worked closely with our colleagues in the Operational Support Services dept, and Operation Blue Takeoff has been developed. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“During this operation we will not pursue motorcycles, but we will be deploying our high-tech assets and officers with specialist skills to identify and locate the bikes. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“My message to those who illegally use off road motorcycles is simple- ‘The first time you know you have been caught riding your motorbike illegally will be when we turn up and seize it. Don’t expect to have your bike returned’.” ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

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