Huyton man arrested on suspicion of theft of motorbike and driving offences

Officers dedicated to reducing serious and organised crime in parts of Liverpool and Knowsley have arrested a man on suspicion of theft of an off-road motorbike and driving offences after spotting him riding the bike dangerously in Huyton.

The officers from EVOLVE Liverpool-Knowsley, which is one of Merseyside's three Clear, Hold, Build operations, were on patrol on the afternoon of Saturday, June 29 when they saw the off-road motorbike being ridden dangerously, performing wheelies, along Hillside Avenue and into Primrose Court. 

The 19-year-old rider from Huyton was stop-checked and subsequently arrested on suspicion of theft of a motor vehicle, drug driving, driving without a license, driving without insurance and possession of criminal property.

He was taken to a police station on Merseyside for questioning and released on bail pending further enquiries.

The off-road motorbike is scheduled for destruction.

Inspector Jen Murray, one of the officers involved in EVOLVE Liverpool-Knowsley, said: "Off-road motorbikes driven recklessly in residential areas cause significant danger and instil fear in residents and other road users.

"Merseyside Police and our partners work hard to prevent the dangerous use of these bikes on a daily basis as well as through dedicated initiatives such as Operation Brookdale, which has seen the number of reports about the dangerous and nuisance use of off-road bikes decrease over the years.

“However, we are not complacent, and I want to send out a clear message that we will not tolerate the dangerous use of these bikes which are often used to carry out serious crimes and bring misery to communities as well as endanger the lives of innocent road users and pedestrians.

Operation Brookdale is our ongoing commitment to eradicating the harm that illegal and anti-social use of off-road bikes cause to the communities in Merseyside.

Insp Murray added: “Our best chance of removing this threat is always to know where bikes are being stored before they get out on the streets.

"If you know where off-road bikes are being stored, either in homes, storage units or elsewhere, please come forward and we will act on all information provided. You can contact us either directly or via Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111."

Anyone with information on where stolen bikes are being stored or those being ridden in a dangerous or antisocial manner should contact Merseyside Police social media desk via X @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