Officers put the brakes on anti-social bike and scooters during day of action in Widnes and Warrington

On Tuesday 10 June, officers operating Operation Lawmaker conducted a day of action as part of ongoing efforts to tackle the anti-social and dangerous riding of e-bikes, e-scooters and motorbikes across Cheshire.

Reports received by Cheshire Police in recent weeks have highlighted that numerous groups continue to use non-road legal vehicles in a dangerous and anti-social manner across the county, including in both Warrington and Widnes.

Residents have reported damage to public spaces and to property and riders putting pedestrians and other road users at risk of harm through dangerous driving.

This most recent Lawmaker deployment was designed to disrupt known offenders involved in the dangerous driving of both electric and motorised bikes and curb future irresponsible riding in hotspot areas, including in the King George’s Park and Spike Island areas.

Supported by the Constabulary’s Drone Unit, colleagues from the Force Control Centre, Vehicle Recovery and Beat Teams, Motorcycle Operations officers were deployed across areas in both Warrington and Widnes.

Whilst in Widnes, the team seized three vehicles, including a motorbike that failed to stop for police officers and was subsequently confirmed as stolen. An illegally converted e-bike was also seized whilst officers were out on patrol.

Meanwhile, in the Lymm area of Warrington, officers provided reassurance to residents in response to an increase in activity involving non-road legal vehicles, including uninsured off-road motorbikes.

Following the day of action, Constable Simon Dadswell, of the Northern Area’s Problem-Solving Team, said:

“As the weather improves and the days grow longer, we know that riders will want to get out on their bikes, possibly in large groups, and enjoy a ride along the scenic routes our county has to offer.

“We do not want to be seen as the fun police but some of these bikes are illegal for a reason, mainly as they have been adapted to travel at much greater speeds than they are designed for.

"Following several community concerns relating to the unsafe and anti-social usage of both adapted pedal cycles and motorbikes on the roads, we have intensified our efforts in disrupting those who are driving recklessly and intent on abusing the road networks for criminal gain."

The day of action fell during the National Police Chief Council’s (NPCC) Two-Wheel safety campaign (which runs from Monday 2 June to Friday 15 June), designed to promote safe practice and driving guidance that keeps both drivers and riders safe on Cheshire’s roads.

Police Constable Dadswell added:

"Not only are we directly tackling community concerns, but this work also falls as part of our efforts to support the NPCC’s Two-Wheels campaign, which focuses on educating road users of all kinds in the significance of courteous and sensible driving and helping to reduce the number of serious and fatal collisions on our roads.

"Over the course of the campaign, we have hosted a number of events aimed at bikers of all ages, including safety inputs with our colleagues from Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service and bike maintenance demonstrations. We also have several more events planned before the end of the week.

“Alongside these inputs, we will continue with our day-to-day enforcement on dangerous and unsafe driving and will also continue to work with our partners from local authorities and highways teams to see where road safety throughout the Cheshire could be improved.”

Anyone with information regarding the anti-social riding of e-bikes, motorbikes or quad bikes should contact Cheshire Constabulary on 101 or give the details via the website.

Alternatively, information can be reported to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via the Crimestoppers website.