Devon and Cornwall Police seize 30 bikes and make 13 arrests in illegal rider crackdown

Operation Hyssop targeted illegal and anti-social two-wheel riders across four evenings. Police seized e-bikes, weapons, cash and drugs.

Devon and Cornwall Police net 13 arrests in four-night crackdown on illegal riders

Google News UK — Crime (en) reports that Devon and Cornwall Police have warned illegal two-wheel riders they are "running out of road," following a targeted enforcement operation that resulted in 13 arrests and the seizure of 30 e-bikes and motorcycles.

Operation Hyssop ran across four evenings, with officers using drones, a mix of marked and unmarked vehicles, and forensic SmartWater spray to identify suspects and bring them to a safe stop.

On a number of occasions, officers deployed "tactical contact" — a technique used to bring riders to a halt. Head of roads policing Chief Inspector Simon Jenkinson described the tactic as "rare" and carried out only "at very low speed."

"We only really do that when we absolutely have to and when it's safe," Jenkinson said. He added that the method "sounds quite alarming but is at very low speed or no speed and quite safe in proportionate circumstances."

Jenkinson was explicit about the limits of the tactic: "People shouldn't expect to see us doing it when they're travelling at 30, 40, 50mph because of the risks involved and these people don't wear protective equipment."

Officers recovered three stolen and two cloned vehicles and were involved in 28 pursuits. Four weapons were seized alongside more than £2,000 in cash and more than 150 wraps of suspected crack cocaine and heroin.

Jenkinson said the operation was directed squarely at those "deliberately riding anti-socially" and supporting criminal activity. "We've seen riders carrying kitchen knives, illegal drugs, illegal monies, people who are linked to really high level organised crime," he said.

SmartWater spray — which adheres to clothing — was cited as a particularly effective tool. "It can help identify suspects and have been really effective for us," Jenkinson said. Drones were also used to spot suspects before officers moved in.

Offences recorded during the operation included dangerous driving, vehicle theft, failing to stop for police, driving whilst disqualified, drink and drug driving, possession of offensive weapons, and possession with intent to supply Class A drugs.

Public response to the operation was described as "overwhelmingly supportive," according to Jenkinson.

The force said it was also continuing to educate riders about regulations governing e-bikes, but Jenkinson indicated that patience had limits. He said misuse of vehicles for anti-social behaviour and crime "had reached a tipping point."

"We will use whatever means we need to bring those people to a halt," he warned. "We would far rather people adhere to the rules and regulations and ride and drive safely."

Source: Google News UK — Crime (en)