New task force launched to crackdown on illegal bikes across Cleveland

The initiative will see dedicated Cleveland Police officers deployed to target offenders using bikes illegally, with a focus on rapid response to intelligence and increased enforcement activity.

The task force will use their own electric bikes to keep up with the pace and agility of suspects using faster vehicles.

The scheme has been jointly funded by housing associations Thirteen Group and Beyond Housing, alongside the Cleveland Road Safety Partnership.

Superintendent Paul Richardson said: “We know that the criminal use of bikes adversely impacts our communities, and we are fully committed to continuing to be strong on this type of crime and protect our communities from those who pose harm by using bikes for criminal gain.”

He revealed the scale of the issue, adding: “In February and March this year, there were over 800 incidents involving bikes in some form of crime or incident in Cleveland.”

Angela Corner, head of communities at Thirteen Group, said residents had also repeatedly voiced their frustrations.

She said: “They’re sick and tired of seeing people tearing around estates on bikes and they want something to be done about it.

“That’s why we’ve contributed funding for these new electric bikes to help the police track offenders and their vehicles.”

Drone technology will also play a key role in the crackdown, allowing officers to track bikes in real time and identify where they are being stored, so they can be dealt with and taken off the streets as quickly as possible.

Ben Briggs, regeneration manager at Beyond Housing, said: “The criminal use of bikes is a major and recurring issue for many of our communities, causing real distress for residents and impacting the sense of safety, locally.

“By combining enforcement, intelligence and new technology, this task force will help tackle persistent anti-social and criminal behaviour, sending a clear signal that it won’t be tolerated in our communities.”

Police are urging members of the public to report incidents involving the use of illegal bikes via 101 or online at www.cleveland.police.uk.