Devon & Cornwall Police seize bikes and drugs in four-night anti-social riding crackdown

Operation Hyssop targeted illegal motorcycle and e-scooter use across Devon and Cornwall over four evenings, resulting in arrests, vehicle seizures and recovered stolen property.

Drone technology and SmartWater used to catch illegal riders in Devon and Cornwall

Google News UK — Crime (en) reports that Devon & Cornwall Police have concluded a targeted four-evening enforcement campaign against illegal and anti-social motorcycle riders, seizing vehicles, making arrests and recovering stolen property.

Operation Hyssop dedicated 28 hours of focused police activity to tackling the theft of mopeds and motorcycles, as well as the criminal and anti-social use of motorcycles, e-scooters and e-bikes. Officers combined specialist tactics, local intelligence and technology to identify and disrupt offenders across the region.

The operation brought together Roads Policing officers supported by the Drone Team and Dog Section. Locations and individuals were selected based on intelligence gathered by neighbourhood officers and tip-offs from members of the public.

Among the tactics deployed was SmartWater Data Tag Spray, a forensic marking system that proved decisive in one key arrest. Officers marked a suspect rider during an encounter, avoiding the need for a potentially dangerous pursuit. Although the rider initially fled, the forensic marking led to their identification and arrest the following day.

Chief Inspector Simon Jenkinson, Head of Roads Policing for Devon & Cornwall Police, said the operation demonstrated the force's resolve against those who cause misery in local communities.

"These offenders often believe they can act with impunity by using off-road routes, wearing face coverings, removing registration plates or riding vehicles that should not be on our roads," Jenkinson said. "Through a combination of specialist tactics, advanced technology and highly trained officers, we are proving that this is no longer the case."

Jenkinson credited intelligence from the public as central to the operation's success. "The results show just how effective we can be when we combine intelligence from local communities with information gathered by neighbourhood officers and specialist teams. That intelligence allows us to target the right people, in the right places, at the right time."

His warning to those who continue to offend was direct: "You are running out of road. We will continue to identify you, pursue every lawful opportunity to stop you and take action to protect the public."

Devon & Cornwall Police said the operation forms part of a continuing commitment to reducing harm and improving community safety. The force is urging residents to keep reporting dangerous riding, stolen motorcycles, illegal e-bikes and anti-social vehicle use, describing public information as one of the most effective tools for directing enforcement activity.

Photographs released by the force show seized e-motorbikes alongside drugs and weapons, with items tagged using SmartWater.

Residents can report anti-social behaviour online via the Devon & Cornwall Police website, or by calling 101. Anyone in immediate danger should call 999.

Source: Google News UK — Crime (en)