Op Limit: Footage released showing pursuit of three scrambler bike riders in St Helens
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We are releasing footage of a pursuit of three scrambler bike riders in St Helens and Knowsley as part of our ongoing Op Limit appeal to stop drug and drink driving.
The video, captured from a camera inside a police car during a pursuit on 11 October 2020, shows three males failing to stop for police and then driving in a dangerous and reckless manner before they were arrested.
Op Limit, which began on 21 November 2022, is our annual drink and drug driving campaign and will continue to run until Monday 2 January 2023.
The three men were sentenced on Friday 18 November 2022.
Matthew Doran, 28, of Newfield Close, Crosby, was jailed for 14 months at Liverpool Crown Court after he admitted dangerous driving and drug driving. He was also banned from driving for two years.
Owen Moran, 23, of St Annes Street, Liverpool, was jailed for ten months after he admitted dangerous driving and drug driving. He was banned from driving for two years.
Victor Zhao, 18, of Swansea Close, Liverpool, was sent to a young offenders institute for four months after he admitted dangerous driving. He was banned from driving for two years.
At approximately 4pm on 11 October 2020, officers received reports of a group of 10-15 scrambler bike riders dangerously driving around the Garswood area.
Roads Policing Officers pursued three of the riders who travelled in the wrong direction along Dentons Green Lane, going through several red traffic lights and weaving between cars.
The three bikes continued onto the A5300 where one of the riders - Owen Moran jumped from his motorbike and was detained by officers as he tried to flee the area.
Another bike continued onto the A562, where he attempted to travel the wrong way, he was blocked by officers and arrested.
The third rider abandoned his bike after it was successfully stung with a tyre deflation device and was found nearby hiding in the garden of a bungalow.
All three bikes were seized by police.
Officers from the Matrix Roads Policing Unit and colleagues across the force are determined to prevent unnecessary deaths and serious injuries on the roads and to raise awareness of the dangers around driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs.
Roads Policing Sergeant Tim Pottle said: “The footage from the pursuit shows how dangerous and reckless the riders were, travelling along busy roads. The brave and responsible pursuit by our officers brought their dangerous riding to an end and has resulted in these three men being put before the courts.
“I hope they spend time reflecting on how their actions could have harmed themselves or others. They not only put their own lives at risk, but the lives of other innocent road users. Our officers share the frustration felt by the public when scrambler bikes are ridden illegally, often dangerously and at speed.
“We are determined to make sure those who put themselves and others at serious risk of injury or worse are brought to justice, and the vehicles they use taken off them. I hope this illustrates that our officers will stop at nothing, and do everything in their power to stop such people from blighting our roads and open spaces.
“Information from the public has proved a vital part of our efforts to remove these vehicles, and with more people at home respecting instructions to limit travel, I call upon anyone who realises people near them are storing illegal bikes to get in touch.”
Anyone with information on scrambler bikes can contact Merseyside Police social media desk via Twitter @MerPolCC or Facebook ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre’. You can also call 101 or contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or via their website here: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/forms/give-information-anonymously