Drones used to track down scrambler bikes in Runcorn

DRONES have been deployed in a bid to help police targeting nuisance and dangerous off-road motorbikes in Runcorn.

The unmanned aerial vehicles are used for surveillance as part of Operation Scrambler and are intended to be a budget alternative to helicopters, although these continue to be used for more serious incidents.

Police in Runcorn have revealed that nuisance scramblers are on the rise, with riders causing problems taking their vehicles on footpaths, public fields and other areas.

The Weekly News recently reported that a police community support officer was pushed to the ground by a yob in Halton Brook as he tried to seize an off-road bike.

Sergeant Steve Watson, of the Runcorn police beat team, said each town in Cheshire has its challenges and that for officers in Runcorn that means the new town layout, which incorporates many paths and routes not near a normal road including underpasses, the busway and parks, that are accessible to the bikes but less so to the police.

Sgt Watson said the force does have motorbike-trained officers who can go off-road but that the safest way to deal with bikes and riders is when they are stationary.

Officers have now urged the public to contribute as much information as they can including nuisance sighting details, storage information, owner identities and pictures, CCTV and dashcam images.

The initiative is also looking into quad bike use.

PC Hampson said: “We are appealing to local residents and their families to stop these bikes before someone gets hurt.

“Don’t let it be one of your family that gets hurt.”

Information can be passed to Runcorn police by emailing Runcorn. lpu@cheshire.pnn.police. uk quoting ‘Operation Scrambler’.

Alternatively, call Cheshire police on 101, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Both organisations have contact forms available online also.