Officers in Coventry were given help from above recently as they enlisted the aid of the National Police Air Service for an off-road bike operation.
On 18 November, officers from the Foleshill neighbourhood team carried out the op in response to ongoing anti-social behaviour concerns in the area.
Supported by our traffic unit and off-road bike team, officers patrolled North Coventry looking for stolen cars and bikes.
Overhead, the team had eyes in the sky from the National Police Air Service (NPAS) plane which was able to track individuals during the pursuits that followed.
The plane provided a bird’s eye view for officers on the ground, helping them spot and track suspects who might otherwise be able to flee.
Within minutes of going out on patrol on their off-road bikes, the team spotted multiple scramblers and bikes.
With the support of the plane, PC Wolfe pursued a stolen moped to the Wood End area where the rider ditched the bike and fled on foot.
Traffic and neighbourhood officers then surrounded the house he ran to before entering and finding him hiding under a bed.
He was arrested for theft of a motor vehicle and handling stolen goods.
The stolen moped was also recovered.
Sergeant Deborah Walker said: “Thanks to the support of the plane two offenders were arrested.
“These bikes are often driven dangerously on roads and green spaces causing significant upset to our local communities.
“Some are stolen and being used to commit crime such as theft, burglary and other related offences.
“We are aware of the distress and disruption caused in the community by off-road bikes and are continuing to take action against it wherever and whenever we receive intelligence.
“Over the last year we have conducted several of these operations and will be targeting people who use these vehicles in an anti-social and dangerous way.
“We are warning offenders who continue to drive these machines illegally and putting the public at risk that they will be caught.
Their vehicles will continue to be seized.”
If you are worried about the use of off-road bikes where you live, go to: https://www.west-midlands.police.uk/your-options/illegal-road-bikes-and-mini-motos
You can also report crimes via 101 or Live Chat on our website, or via 999 in an emergency.
We would also encourage residents to sign up to the Community Alert scheme for updates using www.wmnow.co.uk
Report crime, get prevention advice, and see the latest news on our website http://www.west-midlands.police.uk/
You can get in touch with us via Live Chat at west-midlands.police.uk, via 101, or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.