Staffs Police deploy drones and off-road officers to apprehend offenders and recover stolen bikes

Specially trained Staffordshire Police officers riding off-road motorcycles were deployed as part of a successful operation in Stoke-on-Trent tackling bike theft.

• Related: Nowhere to hide for thieves as police forces across England continue to make arrests and recover stolen motorcycles

Taking place on Sunday, December 15 last year, the force deployed officers from a number of units to parts of Park Hall Country Park, Werrington and Bucknall as part of Operation Transom.

The move was set up in partnership with Stoke-on-Trent City Council to help communities being impacted by reported anti-social riding on roads and public green spaces, with increased patrols in hotspot areas and offending bikes seized.

“On many occasions the actions of those involved have not only been anti-social but also reckless and criminal,” Inspector Becci Price said. “Riders risk injuring themselves, other road users and pedestrians. They will be dealt with accordingly through disqualification, arrest and prosecution.”

On this occasion, hotspot areas were said to be met with high-visibility patrols and the deployment of a police drone, which worked with officers on off-road motorcycles below to apprehend suspects.

Related: How to legally ride off-road

As a result, two confirmed stolen motorcycles were recovered on the day, including one found in a back garden. On top of this, the drone was used to successfully report seven traffic offences including an unsecure load, not having a valid MoT, and failure to wear a seatbelt.

“One person told officers how they fear their dogs could get killed while they’re being walked in areas that see off-road bike activity, so it was nice to see they were happy with the steps we’re taking to tackle their concerns,” Inspector Jody Cruxton added.

“This operation follows a number of successful off-road operations across the county over recent weeks which has included multiple vehicle seizures and a guilty plea for dangerous driving.

“Over the next year we will be stepping up this capability and increasing the number of officers trained to use our off-road bikes to ensure that frequent, targeted action will be taken wherever we see this behaviour.”

Elsewhere, Northumbria Police have celebrated the latest round of success from their Operation Capio scheme – designed to tackle motorcycle related crime, including theft and nuisance riders in public spaces.

Following an increase of police activity, their teams in South Tyneside and Sunderland have now seized a total of 246 vehicles, made 159 stop and searches, reported/arrested 93 people, and handed out 91 orders.