Notts Police call for public support against antisocial riding

Police officers in Mansfield are calling on the support of the public to cut down on the dangerous, antisocial, and illegal use of off-road motorcycles in the area. 

“Residents have been telling us over and again how concerned they are about this issue, so now we’re empowering them to help us to address it,” District Commander for Mansfield, Inspector Kylie Davies said. “We are already seizing bikes and holding riders to account, but we want to do more and need the public’s help to do it.

“Put simply we want them to see it, report it and stop it. Every photo or piece of footage we receive will help us to build a bigger picture, identify offenders and keep people safe.”

Nottinghamshire Police would like road users, as well as residents to report incidents they have witnessed – submitting evidence that could be used to bring criminal charges, issue fines, and see the offending motorcycles seized. Other riders may also face a Section 59 notice, meaning their bike will be seized if they come into contact with the police again.

This requested evidence includes dashcam footage, photographs, and written accounts, which the police state can be submitted in confidence. From here, it will be analysed in an attempt to identify riders, their bikes, and any offences potentially committed.

Alongside this, officers are also hoping to gather intelligence on where the bikes are being stored.

“People are telling us loudly and clearly that this is a serious concern for them and that they are genuinely fearful of bikes that are being ridden recklessly on footpaths, pavements, parks, and other public spaces,” Inspector Davies continued.

“We simply can’t tolerate this kind of behaviour and want those people to know we are on their side. Clearly this is not a simple problem for us to solve, but I know we can achieve a lot more with the public’s help.”

Evidence can be submitted through the Nottinghamshire Police Dash Cam Portal, by calling 101, or emailing manssouth.npt@Notts.Police.uk

Evidence requested includes times, dates, locations, motorcycle colours and sizes, clothing details, and more. 

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Nuisance riding crackdown by Avon and Somerset Police

First published 09 November 2023

Officers from Avon and Somerset Police have come down hard on anti-social behaviour (ASB) surrounding motorcycles, mopeds, and e-bikes – making arrests and reducing the number of incidents reported in the area.

Following accounts of increasing vehicle theft, dangerous and anti-social riding, plus robbery and threatening behaviour, the force began a patch-wide operation – identifying crime hotspots in Bristol, Bath, and neighbouring areas of South Gloucestershire.

The foundations for this were built on the success of a local initiative run by south Bristol neighbourhood policing teams, who worked with roads policing officers to kerb the problems.

Across their area, the Avon and Somerset team identified hotspots and offenders and targeted them with officers from CID, roads policing, intelligence, drones, and more – with additional support from the National Police Air Service (NPAS) when needed.

In total, the operation netted 28 arrests or voluntary interviews, plus the recovery of 27 stolen motorbikes. The force also states that reported ASB crimes involving two-wheelers have dropped by 35%.

Although a number of cases are either still being investigated, or going through the courts, the team say that 17 people have been given Community Protection Warnings (CPWs), with a further three getting Criminal Behaviour Orders (CBOs). Many offenders cannot be named for legal reasons.

The force are also working with the Youth Justice Service to add positive requirements of youth rehabilitation orders, too.

One of these CBOs went to 20-year-old Harvey Mitchell, of Staple Hill, who received a five-year CBO, a community sentence, and an eight-month driving ban. This was after admitting offences including taking a motorbike without consent and driving it without insurance.

As part of this order, Mitchell must not: “Be in possession, sit on, ride, or be passenger of any motorcycle, moped, electric bike or electric scooter in a public place” amongst other stipulations. The other two CBOs have been issued to a 17- and 16-year-old boy. Breach of a criminal behaviour order can result in up to five years imprisonment.

Defeating the angle grinders

First published 09 November 2023 by Ben Clarke

An innovative UK company have launched a new lock design which they say will give thieves armed with powertools the brush off.

The Hiplok 1000 Series is a new range of anti-angle grinder security products including a D-lock engineered with motorcycles in mind. 

Bike thieves equipped with angle-grinders have become a growing menace against machines secured with disc, shackle or chain locks. The new Hiplok system aims to counter that threat by offering more formidable resistance to angle grinder attacks compared to standard D locks. Its robust construction includes graphene composite material technology and a square-profile, hardened steel core.

There are two products: the DX1000, which is claimed to be the ‘Ultimate Anti-Angle Grinder D Lock’, and the AX1000, claimed to be the ‘Ultimate Anti-Angle Grinder Anchor System’ with a pivoting arm. Hiplok say that both together creates the ‘complete anti-angle grinder security solution’. Both carry the Sold Secure Powered Cycle Diamond and ART 4 Star ratings.

Hiplok were established in 2009 by John Abrahams and Ben Smith who met at Coventry University when studying product design and launched their first lock, the D1000, in 2021.

Smith told MCN: “Security is only as strong as the weakest link, which is why we’ve developed a complete anti-angle grinder security system. Building on our proven track record, we’re excited to launch 1000 Series, the ultimate modular solution.” 

The DX1000 costs £240 while the AX1000 costs £245 as part of a current deal. Hiplok will be at Motorcycle Live.

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Police in Coventry discover containers full of stolen bikes

First published 23 October 2023 by Ben Clarke

An Italian tourist has been reunited with his stolen BMW thanks to a joint effort by Warwickshire Police, Tracker Network UK and LoJack Italia following a crime. The £15,000 bike was stolen from outside a West Midlands hotel during an overnight stop on a UK tour.

• Related: Get cheap bike insurance at MCN Compare

The owner had fitted a tracker that was registered with Italian firm, LoJack, who alerted sister company Tracker Network UK. The bike was tracked to one of two containers at a self-storage facility near Coventry airport and Warwickshire Police were called.

Once the containers were opened, a miniature chop shop was discovered with two more previously stolen motorbikes found along with evidence of other machines that had already been stripped for parts.

“Having a vehicle stolen is always stressful,” said Clive Wain, Head of Police Liaison at Tracker. “But if it’s stolen when the owner is travelling abroad, it can be even more devastating. We are delighted to have quickly located this motorcycle, enabling our Italian visitor to continue with his tour. And not only did we find other stolen motorcycles, but our recovery led to arrests.”

Tracker offer European-wide coverage to their UK customers and this service is reciprocated by sister firms like LoJack in Italy.

Sandro Biagianti, Director of Security at LoJack Italia, added: “This retrieval demonstrates the success of working collaboratively as an operation with genuine European capabilities. The unique relationship that Tracker has with UK police helped massively in us reuniting the motorcycle with our customer. It proves that the technology and infrastructure is in place to ensure that Tracker and LoJack customers are protecting their assets.”

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Payback time! £5000 of criminal money will help to fund an innovative new scheme to tackle the scourge of anti-social motorcycle riding

First published 20 October 2023 by Dan Sutherland

A Sunderland City Council-backed community project has secured a £5000 fund, taken from the proceeds of crime, to pay for a six-week pilot scheme educating young people about the dangers of anti-social motorcycle riding.

Working with 10-12 youngsters from the Hetton and Easington Lane area, who will be chosen with help from local schools and officers from Northumbria Police, the project hopes to guide people away from illegal riding and promote a safer, more disciplined approach to motorcycles.

“We’re delighted to have secured this funding from the Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner’s Operation Payback fund to help us tackle the problem,” said deputy leader of Sunderland City Council, Cllr Claire Rowntree. “The Back on Track pilot is all about educating young people about the dangers of off-road bikes. We hope it will lead to a drop in motorbike disorder and anti-social behaviour in the Hetton area.”

Set up by Northumbria police and crime commissioner, Kim McGuinness, Operation Payback began in 2020 and has seen more than £1 million go to good causes across the region. This latest project to tackle nuisance riders will be overseen by the local HALO partnership (Hetton Aspirations Linking Opportunities), which was set up in 2022 to improve the lives of local residents.

It will talk to the participants about the dangers of this kind of riding, as well as provide more information on legislation on where it’s legal to ride. Previously, local authorities have tried to solve the problem by installing CCTV, using drones to identify suspects, and blocking entrances to land used for riding.

“There’s no better use for cash seized through fighting crime than channelling it right back into our communities,” PCC Kim McGuinness said. “I want to present kids with the chance to do things they want to do, present them with the right opportunities and get them the support they need, when they need it, so they stay away from the path that can lead to criminal behaviours.”

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Lock it or lose it: Staffs Police warn riders to be vigilant after spate of thefts

First published October 9 2023 by Dan Sutherland

Riders in Staffordshire are being told to make sure they use the best security they can after a string of bike theft crimes in the county.

• Related: Get cheap bike insurance at MCN Compare

In a statement released at the end of September, the county’s police encouraged riders to stash their bikes in garages where possible and use ground anchors, plus a sturdy lock and chain. In other words, to layer up their security measures.

“We are advising owners of motorbikes to take all the necessary measures to deter thieves as we continue to investigate these recent incidents,” said PC Kelly Allen, of the Burton local policing team.

“We would advise that, if possible, you leave your bike in a locked garage and secure it to a ground anchor, or other fixed point using a high-quality chain and lock.”

The officer continued: “If you must park your bike away from your property, try to leave it in a well-lit area, ideally covered by CCTV. It’s well worth the extra five to 10-minute walk.”

The advice comes following multiple thefts in the Burton area, which began with a grey 125cc AJS Insetto scooter – taken overnight from Long Street, in Stapenhill, on September 25. Following this, a Keeway RKS125 was stolen from a driveway on Essex Road between the hours of 3.30am and 8am the following day.

A 70cc KTM was targeted from a garage on Cumberland Road, with a blue and silver Yamaha sportsbike also pinched from a driveway on Somerset Road between midnight and 4am on September 27.

PC Allen continued: “Work is continuing to review all of the available CCTV, speak to witnesses and pursue those responsible for these thefts.”

Investigators are particularly keen to speak to anyone in the area who may have caught the offenders on CCTV or have them filmed on a smart doorbell system. The force can be contacted by dialling 101 or via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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‘Opportunist’ gets banged up: Offender sentenced to 12 months after pleading guilty

First published 2 October 2023 by Dan Sutherland

A Cheshire man has been sent to prison for a year after being caught on, and convicted of the crime of handling, a stolen motorcycle. Runcorn man Liam Lingham was sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court on Wednesday, September 13 – getting 12 months behind bars after earlier pleading guilty.

“Lingham is an opportunist, and his actions demonstrate what little regard he held for the law, and I welcome the sentence,” PC Stuart Beswick told MCN. “We are all fully aware that being the victim of a motorbike theft is a deeply unpleasant experience. Anyone would be angry and upset to discover that their motorbike had been stolen, especially if they had taken the precaution of chaining it up.”

The officer continued: “I hope this case deters others from handling stolen motorbikes in Cheshire and we will continue to work with our colleagues in Merseyside to catch people committing these types of crimes and bring them to justice.”

The 28-year-old of Laburnum Grove, Runcorn, was spotted by Merseyside Police riding the stolen machine in the Speke area of Liverpool at around 1pm on Wednesday, April 19. Lingham attempted to stash the bike and escape the scene but was quickly arrested by the force.

Following checks made by the responding officers, it was confirmed that the bike had been stolen during a burglary earlier that day at an address on Beech Gardens, Runcorn. Consequently, Lingham was charged with handling stolen goods. 

Police are asking anyone with information of bike thefts, or the location of other stolen bikes to call Cheshire Constabulary on 101 or go to cheshire.police.uk/ro/report/ to provide further details.

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Defence from above: Warwickshire cops deploy police plane to tackle bike theft

First published 29 September 2023 by Dan Sutherland

Warwickshire Police have been tackling motorcycle crime and theft in the county with the help of a propellor plane flown by the National Police Air Service (NPAS).

Related: Get cheap bike insurance at MCN Compare

Rather than opting for the more publicised helicopter support, the aircraft was deployed above Bedworth and Nuneaton on Sunday, 10 September to help search for two suspects connected with the theft of a motorbike from Bedworth.

Extra officers were already on the ground in the area, as well as in Exhall, following a recent run of motorcycle-related thefts and robberies. The team responded to a 999 call reporting the incident was in progress, as well as identifying suspects on two motorbikes. Having failed to stop for the force, the additional air support was called in.

“Last week I reassured the public that we were putting measures in place to tackle this ongoing problem and asked for support from local people to identify those responsible,” Inspector Kris Shore from Nuneaton and Bedworth Safer Neighbourhood Team said at the time.

Once in the air, the plane tracked two suspects for almost an hour, before being located at a house in Laburnum Grove, Nuneaton and subsequently arrested. A search of the property also revealed a stolen quadbike, which was also seized.

“We’ve had an excellent response from local people, and it was a quick-thinking member of the public who called 999 when they spotted the bike being stolen,” Inspector Kris Shore added. “The increased policing presence in the area meant we were quickly on the scene and able to identify the suspects.”

Both a 17-year-old boy and 20-year-old man, both from Nuneaton, were arrested on suspicion of failing to stop, dangerous driving and theft of a motor vehicle. They have now been bailed until 12 October while enquiries continue.