Four people have been arrested after motorbikes, weapons and cannabis plants were sezied by police during a house raid. Officers from Warrington Local Policing Unit (LPU) conducted a warrant in Latchford as part of an ongoing crackdown on off-road bikes.
Operation HardHit was launched earlier this year in response to multiple reports from members of the community of off-road bikers causing anti-social behaviour, riding without helmets in pedestrian areas and actively evading law enforcement on electric motorbikes. In a multiagency approach, officers worked alongside CCTV operators and engaged with residents in the town to gather enough evidence to locate the prolific offenders, later identifying them through facial recognition software.
On Thursday, March 7, officers conducted a warrant at an address on Bridgewater Avenue, Latchford, and seized 11 electric and petrol motorbikes, a quad bike, a 17 cannabis plants, a number of weapons including machetes, crossbows and batons and a large number of power tools. Officers also seized a quantity of cash and a number of designer clothing items and perfume.
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The find subsequently resulted in the arrest of a 16-year-old boy, 18-year-old woman, 34-year-old woman and 35-year-old man on suspicion of conspiracy to supply drugs, theft of motor vehicles, handling stolen goods – motor bikes and power tools, money laundering and the cultivation of cannabis.
The 16-year-old boy was further arrested on 16 counts of dangerous driving. They have all since been released under investigation pending further enquiries.
Superintendent Adam Ross, Northern Area Commander for Warrington, said: “This operation is a direct response to concerns raised by residents regarding speeding and other anti-social driving offences across the Warrington area, demonstrating that we will always listen to members of the community regarding any concerns that they have, particularly when it regards a subject as important as road safety.
“We have seen a considerable spike in reports of young people riding Sur-Ron electric motorbikes in particular within pedestrian areas of the town, driving at considerable speed and whilst not wearing helmets – what they are doing is not only illegal it’s also putting the lives of innocent members of the public at risk. The anti-social behaviour caused by the unsafe use of motorbikes in pedestrian areas is a priority issue and I want to reassure the public that officers will take a robust approach with those causing such harm within your communities.
“Our officers will be carrying out high-visibility patrols in hotspot areas at key times across the county targeting those intent on causing a nuisance in their community. The Constabulary will always take action against anyone riding motor vehicles illegally and anti-socially, whether on Warrington’s roads or in pedestrianised areas.
“Over the next three months, we will also be working alongside local communities and our partner agencies in directly targeting addresses linked to drug usage and the anti-social driving and behaviour we are committed to putting a stop to.”
Inspector Lee Hillyard, added: “The action taken as part of Operation HardHit is a positive and pro-active response to the concerns of the local community. Illegal drug usage is closely linked with anti-social behaviour, and over the next few weeks, we will be stepping up our patrols and conducting further warrants at addresses of known offenders to further our efforts in dismantling the groups of individuals intent on disrupting and endangering the lives of local residents who are out and about in Warrington.”
Anyone with information regarding the riding of electric Sur-Ron bikes, motorbikes or quad bikes in pedestrian areas 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.
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