Biker louts arrested for dangerous driving on deserted roads during coronavirus lockdown
Rangzeb Hussain
April 14, 2020
Police have seized off-road bikes in a Bank Holiday blitz on lout bikers who were running amok on the quieter roads during the government’s coronavirus lockdown restrictions.
Traffic cops, including support from a police helicopter crew, have been out in force since Easter Sunday to clamp down hard on “covidiots” who tried to turn deserted streets into racetracks. These anti-social bikers posed a serious threat to pedestrians. Police have confirmed that nine off-road bikes were impounded and several arrests made.
Boris Johnson’s coronavirus lockdown restrictions have resulted in quieter roads and streets which have become a temptation for thrill seeking bikers to use the deserted streets as race courses. These reckless bikers have made some of the city’s streets dangerous and police are now clamping down hard.
Police units were on the lookout in the Midlands over the Bank Holiday weekend and dispersed bike groups who were behaving anti-socially and successfully pursued several suspects who tried to escape capture.
A total of nine bikes, including quad-bikes and scramblers, were seized and are now in police recovery yards. Four of those have been confirmed as stolen according to police.
WMPFour suspects were arrested and a further four were summonsed to appear at court at a later date.
Sergeant Mitch Darby from the Police Traffic Unit, said:
“The majority of people are behaving responsibly and staying at home to help prevent the spread of coronavirus.
“But there are some who seemed to think the unusually quiet roads was an opportunity to ride dangerously and anti-socially.
“We’d planned for the prospect and had significant numbers of police bikers out over the long weekend, while the police helicopter was hovering above to offer support.
“Our efforts continue on Easter Monday and throughout the lock down period. And our message is clear to any off-road bikers caught riding irresponsibly: you face being arrested, we’ll seize your bike and apply to the courts to confiscate and crush it.”
WMPThe arrests included a 25-year-old man pursued in Wolverhampton on Friday 10th April 2020 before being arrested on suspicion of failing to stop for police and dangerous driving.
He was released under investigation pending advice from the Crown Prosecution Service. Police have confirmed the bike used by the suspect was found to have been stolen.
On Saturday 11th April 2020 traffic cops intercepted an off-road bike gathering in Victoria Road, Birmingham city centre.
Two individuals were stopped and reported for riding without licences or insurance. Their bikes were seized for destruction.
Another suspect sped off riding an orange KTM but was tracked by the eye-in-the-sky and caught by an officer in Grosvenor Road, Aston, after the bike was dumped.
A 22-year-old man from Alum Rock was arrested and later charged with dangerous driving, failing to stop for police and other motoring offences. He has been bailed to appear at Birmingham Magistrates Court on 11th May 2020.
On the same day, three off-road bikes were pursued in the Bromford area of Birmingham. Two dirt bikes and a quad were recovered and checks on police systems revealed two were stolen.
A 33-year-old man from Bromford was arrested and a 29-year-old summonsed to appear at court for driving with no licence and no insurance.
A black moped was seized on Easter Sunday and a 15-year-old boy arrested after it was spotted being ridden anti-socially on parkland in Shard End.
WMPThe teenager was charged with having no licence or insurance and allegedly breaching a Criminal Behaviour Order.
A blue Sinis Spirit was recovered following a pursuit in Weoley Castle. The scooter, confirmed as stolen, was recovered but the rider escaped from the scene.
Anyone who would like to report illegal off-road bike activity please contact West Midlands Police via Live Chat. Alternatively call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
