Police crack down on Hull bike thieves with series of seizures
Zero tolerance policy sees police recover stolen machines
Police in Hull discovered a treasure trove of stolen motorbikes after forcing entry to a property in the Holderness area of the city. Included in the haul, which was part of an investigation into reports of stolen bikes being stored, were two bikes taken in 2017.
The discovery of a total of five pilfered machines comes against a backdrop of zero tolerance in Humberside as Chief Constable, Lee Freeman, vowed to create a hostile environment for criminals during lockdown.
“People have been staying at home and they have lost the opportunity to commit offences because of that,” he said. “We have a responsibility to respond and tackle criminals who will be looking for opportunities to commit crime.” Although the force’s five-week period of action, called Operation Galaxy, is intended to concentrate on the broader issues of theft, burglary, sexual offences and organised crime, at least one further motorbike has already been seized as a result. Antisocial motorbike offences such as illegal off-road riding are also in the crosshairs as local
‘Over 20 bikes have been seized’ CHIEF SUPT DARREN DOWNS
residents complained of the ‘daily problem’ of people riding dangerously in public parks and on the roads and pavements. “I want to take this opportunity to appeal again to the few young people who take their vehicles off road or ride in an anti-social way, please consider your actions,” said Chief Superintendent Darren Downs of Humberside Police. “Riding this way causes frequent issues to local residents and can cause serious injury to you or others.
“We have been working hard recently to tackle the issues of illegal off-road bikes, of motorbike theft and related crimes and the anti-social use of motorcycles. Over 20 motorbikes have recently been seized as we continue Operation Yellowfin to specifically target these problems. “If you know of where stolen bikes, scooters, mopeds are being stored, either in lockups and garages please let us know. “The information you provide could help prevent crime and could prevent someone being seriously injured.”
Since that warning was issued a nine-year-old boy was seriously injured after being hit by an offroad motorbike in a local park. A man was later arrested.