Moped rider who failed to stop for police on motorbike safety day of action sentenced

A moped rider who fled on foot after being signalled to pull over by police conducting a road safety operation, and was then found to be in possession of Class A drugs when officers caught him, has been sentenced.

Alan Evans appeared Warrington Magistrates on Friday 24 October where he was handed a community order and a 36-month driving disqualification.

During his sentencing hearing, the court was told that on 4 July 2025, officers in Warrington were conducting a day activity known as Operation Lawmaker, a bespoke operation designed to target the dangerous and anti-social riding of off-road vehicles and bikes in our town centres.

During this deployment, a Constabulary Motorcycle officer spotted Evans riding a white Yamaha XF 50 moped in poor condition in the Chester Road area of Warrington.

Following checks on the moped, it was confirmed that it was not insured, and officers attempted to stop the vehicle. However, before this could be done, Evans decamped from the moped in the Fennel Street area of the town and made off on foot towards School Brow.

Officers followed swiftly behind Evans and soon found him nearby. During his attempted escape on foot, Evans had abandoned his biker helmet, gloves and jacket that he had been wearing when he was spotted by officers on Chester Road – these items were collected following his eventual arrest.

The 28-year-old was subsequently detained and subjected to a roadside drug test, which came back positive for traces of cannabis. Officers also found two snap-bags of cocaine on his person, which were subsequently seized.

He was then arrested on suspicion of failing to stop for police, driving without insurance, driving under the influence of drugs and possession of Class A drugs (cocaine).

In custody, he answered "no comment" questions put to him by the interviewing officers and was subsequently charged.Evans, of Budworth Avenue, Latchford, would later plead guilty to the aforementioned offences on 24 September.

Police Sergeant Andy Griffiths, of the Constabulary’s Motorcycle Unit, said:

“There is never a right time to go for a drive without insuring your vehicle or using it under the influence of drugs, but choosing to do so on a day when our Roads and Crime Unit is conducting a day of action specifically focusing on the safe use of two-wheeled vehicles means you are almost guaranteed a trip to our custody suites.

“Operation Lawmaker, which was already underway in Warrington on the day Sands was caught, is an ongoing deployment being rolled out in towns and communities across the county in response to the anti-social and dangerous driving of non-legal and off-road bikes.

“The unsafe use of high-powered vehicles on our roads and in pedestrian areas is a priority issue for our officers and I want to reassure the public that we will continue to take a robust approach with those causing such harm within your communities.”