‘Sting bikes’ to trap Moorlands thieves
STAFFORDSHIRE Police’s efforts to deter thieves from stealing quad bikes and motorcycles have stepped up a gear.
Officers from the Staffordshire Moorlands Neighbourhood Policing Team are warning anyone planning to steal motorcycles or quad bikes to ‘think again’ as the bike they are stealing could be a trap.
The force has specialist equipment that can be attached to quad bikes or motorbikes to record someone stealing the bike in high quality video and enable officers to track the bike once it is stolen to help them catch the offender.
Chief Inspector Mark Thorley, commander of the Staffordshire Moorlands neighbourhood policing team, said: “In rural locations like the Moorlands, thefts like these are a real concern to local residents and something we are keen to tackle. Using the latest technology we can place a sting bike in a known theft location in the hope that an offender takes the bait and is caught red-handed stealing the bike.
“This approach has already resulted in five people currently facing trial and I’m confident it will both deliver more arrests and deter thieves from trying it again in future.”
Owners of vehicles like quad bikes in rural locations are encouraged to avoid leaving them in isolated locations or fields where no one will notice them being taken, visibly mark your vehicle to deter thieves and keep a list of serial numbers for the vehicle to help us recover it if it has been stolen.
Anyone with information can contact Staffordshire Police on the 101 number. Alternatively, witnesses can contact Crimestoppers, which is an independent charity helping law enforcement to locate criminals and help solve crimes. They can be contacted anonymously 24/7 on 0800 555 111.
■ POLICE are also appealing for members of the public to report any suspicious vehicles in their area.
It comes after suspicious vehicles have been seen in both the Tean and Stanley areas of the Staffordshire Moorlands.
In Tean a Citroen Berlingo van, red in colour with a 53 plate, was seen to be driving slowly around Goldhurst Drive, Tean with the occupants appearing to be looking for scrap metal.
Anyone who has seen this vehicle should contact Staffordshire Police on 101 and quote serial number 668 of September 21.
At 5.30am on Saturday, September 22 there was a report of a suspicious vehicle containing three males in the Stanley area.
This vehicle had been seen driving up a lane which leads to a farmhouse property. The resident of the property confronted the males and they have left swiftly.
The vehicle is described as a blue hatchback, sporty looking in shape with a partial plate of MA57.
If you see this vehicle looking suspicious, contact 101 quoting serial 158 of September 22.
■ A CAR was damaged overnight on Portland Street in Leek on Thursday, September 20.
Anyone with information is asked to contact 101 quoting serial 165 of September 21.
■ CRIMINAL damage has been caused to a business in Werrington.
During the hours of 8pm on Friday, September 21 and 5am on Saturday, September 22 an unknown offender has caused damage to a menu sign on the outside of Funky Fillerz on Ash Bank Road, Werrington.
Anyone with any information can contact 101 quoting 162 of September 22.
■ THERE has been a report of criminal damage to a silver Vauxhall Astra on the car park of Home Bargains in Biddulph.
This occurred between 9am and 5pm on Thursday, September 20.
Quote 141 of September 21.
■ A BURGLARY has taken place in Blythe Bridge.
The incident took place in the Crossfield Avenue area of Blythe Bridge, between 12.30pm and 6pm on Friday, September 21
Quote serial number 683 of September 21.
■ LOCAL officers have been made aware of increased reports of a number of deceased cats within the areas of Norton Green and Brown Edge. It is believed this repeat number of reports is due to the effects of antifreeze poisoning.
Pet owners are asked to be aware of this issue and consider keeping cats indoors in case an accidental spillage has occurred.
Anyone with any concerns regarding this issue or with any information which could assist police with their enquiries, should contact us on 101 or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.