Police seize 15 motorbikes and quads from containers to target nuisance riders on stolen machines

Middlesbrough police have seized 15 two- and four-wheeled machines hidden in storage containers during an operation tackling the issue of nuisance off-roaders in the town.

• Related: Seized nuisance bikes to be donated to community projects

The initiative came about after plain clothed officers from the Middlesbrough Proactive Team saw a large group of people in balaclavas riding bikes along Riverside Road on the evening of Monday, August 19. The group were followed, allowing officers to discover where the machines were being hidden.  

The next morning, they returned to the containers alongside the Specialist Operations Team. Forcing entry with heavy-duty cutters, they found 12 bikes and three quads, alongside machetes, balaclavas, and a stash of class A drugs.

Motorcycles recovered include a Yamaha MT-09 and Yamaha MT-07, as well as a large quantity of motocross and enduro models from a range of manufacturers.

• Related: Get a motorcycle insurance quote today with MCN Compare

“Off-road bikes are consistently raised as an important issue by our communities, they cause misery through their antisocial and criminal use,” leader of the Middlesbrough Proactive Team, Sergeant John Sproson said.

“This operation shows that we will take every opportunity to take them off the street. We would like to ask the public to contact us and tell where they are being stored.”

During the search, a 19-year-old man and 16-year-old boy arrived, who were then linked to the units being emptied. Both were arrested on suspicion of theft of a motor vehicle and taken into police custody for questioning, before being bailed as the investigation continues.

Of the machines recovered, three were identified as stolen, and will now be returned to their rightful owners. One quad bike had also been taken and will be reunited with its owner.

Elsewhere, five motorcycles were identified as having been ridden illegally with no insurance the previous day and will now be destroyed. The fate of the rest of the motorcycles remains unknown as the police investigation continues.