Northumbria Police continue tough stance on anti-social motorcycle use with 11 seizures in 48 hours

Police officers in the Northumbria region have seized 11 bikes and made three arrests during an intensive 48-hour crackdown.

• Related: Northumbria Police launch Operation Capio

The work took place across Wearside and South Tyneside in mid-April as part of the force’s Operation Capio project, which was set up in December 2023 following a £196,000 grant from the Home Office’s Safer Streets programme.

During the two days of action, officers recovered a number of suspected stolen motorcycles and scooters, as well as tackling nuisance riders using bikes in an antisocial manner. Recovered bikes included a Honda Forza, and a KTM RC8 superbike.

“The activity this week follows weeks of intelligence gathering and information provided by our communities – and the results speak for themselves,” said Sergeant Chris Mcclennan.

“This proactive action is not in isolation, and we have officers across the entire Force area targeting nuisance riders and looking to meet motorcycle-related crime head-on.”

Three motorcycles, which were all believed to have been stolen, were found at an address in Washington, alongside multiple false number plates. Another suspected stolen scooter with an altered plate was found at a house in South Shields.

The occupant of this address attempted to hide from the police officers when they arrived, but was quickly arrested, with drugs also seized from inside.

Elsewhere, plain clothed officers tracked a nuisance rider in the Hylton Castle area of Sunderland to their home. They were found to have no insurance and the bike was seized.  

Further to this, police followed a bike along the Silksworth Road in Sunderland. It turned out to have been stolen from Gateshead in September 2023.

The rider, who was already disqualified from driving, was arrested after stopping at a petrol station. A home was then searched, revealing five more bikes linked to offences.

“As ever, I’d like to thank the public who continue to support us – and would encourage anyone who has information about motorcycle-related crime in their area to get in touch with us and report it,” Sgt Mcclennan added.

“Please also contact us if you know where these bikes are being stored overnight. Your information could prove pivotal in our ongoing crackdown on this type of criminality.”