Three arrested on suspicion of theft of a motorbike in Wirral

We have arrested three males on suspicion of theft of a motor vehicle following reports of a moped being ridden around Birkenhead with three people wearing balaclavas onboard.

The bike was seen on Rodney Street at around 9.40pm on Saturday 7 June and on sighing police officers it made off.

A Matrix officer began pursuing the bike and passed on details to local patrols and the force drone unit.

The bike made a number of turns to evade the officers but the drone unit was able to monitor its movements. Enquiries established the bike had no current keeper or insurance and was suspected stolen.

The bike was ridden into Wood Close and the drone unit was able to identify the riders of the bike had entered the rear of a neighbouring property.

Officers entered the garden of the property and found three males inside a shed and the bike at the rear of a house. Balaclavas and gloves were also recovered inside the shed.

All three males, two aged 17 and one aged 18, and all from the Birkenhead area, were arrested on suspicion of theft of a motor vehicle.

They have been released under investigation pending further enquiries.

Neighbourhood Policing Inspector Nicola Hughes said: “This is a great example of One team working between Matrix and Wirral Target Team officers and the drone team.

“We know that members of the public regular report mopeds and motorbikes being ridden around Wirral in a dangerous and antisocial manner.

“On this occasion we were able to detain three males successfully and safely without injury or expense to any members of the public and recover a suspected stolen bike.”

Anyone with information about criminality in their area should contact Merseyside Police social media desk via X @MerPolCC or on Facebook ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre’. You can also report information via our website: https://www.merseyside.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/ or call 101

Alternatively, 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 In an emergency always call 999.