More scramblers seized on Merseyside

Seven suspected stolen off-road bikes have been seized by Merseyside Police today.

Published 21st Jun 2016

Merseyside Police has seized seven off-road bikes after search warrants were executed at storage premises in Liverpool this morning, Tuesday 21 June, as part of Operation Brookdale, the force’s summer force-wide crackdown on illegal off-road bikes. The warrants were carried out by neighbourhood and Matrix officers at premises at storage facilities in the Baltic Triangle and in Trafalgar Dock on Waterloo Road, as a response to recent information provided by the local community and businesses. Neighbourhood Inspector Steve Rice said: "I would like to thank the community for the information which has led to today's seizures. We believe that all of these vehicles are stolen and are carrying out enquiries to identify their original owners. If anyone recognises their bike from the photos, please contact 101. Our evidence shows that these bikes have been used illegally and anti-socially in Liverpool, causing harm and distress to local residents. "Local businesses also have an important part to play in assisting us if they become aware that their facilities are being used by criminal gangs to store these bikes, and we appreciate any assistance that they can provide." Superintendent Jenny Sims, who is leading Operation Brookdale, said: "This brilliant result shows just what an impact we can have when communities and businesses provide information on bikes causing problems in their area. If you continue to do so, we will continue to take the sort of positive action seen today, with another seven bikes safely removed from our streets." Anyone with information can call police via the 101 number, or dial 999 in the event of an emergency or if there is a crime in progress. Alternatively, people can pass information anonymously to Crimestoppers, 24 hours a day, on 0800 555 111.