Youths barred from touching vehicles

LEEDS: Six youths have been banned from touching any vehicle in the county without the owner’s consent. An organised gang linked to thefts across Leeds were able to steal a motorbike in as little as ten seconds.

AN ORGANISED gang linked to thefts across Leeds had perfected their technique to the point where they could steal a motorbike in as little as ten seconds.

West Yorkshire Police yesterday released CCTV footage of the thieves in action as they revealed how five men and six youths from Leeds had been banned from touching any vehicle in the county without the owner’s consent.

The group were identified as being linked to an organised gang which was behind an upsurge in the theft of motorbikes across Leeds, with vehicles mainly targeted in the city centre.

The bikes were then either stripped down and sold, or used in crime before being passed on to youths who used them antisocially around the estate.

The gang were so prolific that there was a constant stream of stolen motorbikes, scooters and quads for youths to ride around on, no matter how many the police seized.

And the issues increased dramatically in the summer when local policing teams and ward councillors were inundated with complaints about bikes being ridden dangerously, sometimes at speeds of more than 90mph.

Chief Inspector Nick Ireland, of Safer Leeds, said: “This gang was behind a significant upsurge in the theft of motorbikes which not only had a real impact on the lives of the victims of those thefts but also on people’s lives in the communities where these bikes were ridden dangerously.

“The problem was so bad that we saw a flood of complaints with people understandably suggesting it was only a matter of time before someone was killed or seriously injured.”

The offenders removed or masked number plates and hid their faces with scarves, hoodies or helmets in an effort to stop authorities identifying them.

But key members were identified thanks to the work of a Operation Badgeland, a team of officers set up to tackle bike thefts.

They worked alongside officers from Operation Leodis, which is funded by Leeds City Council to tackle mainly housing-related anti-social behaviour, and Leeds Anti-Social Behaviour Team.

The evidence led to a criminal conviction against ‘ringleader’ Jordan Bodally, 19, of Mardale Crescent, Seacroft, who was jailed and made subject to a fiveyear Criminal Behaviour Order.

Civil injunctions were also issued to Adam Birkett, 21, of Moresdale Lane; Joseph Thrush, 19, of Barncroft Drive; Jack O’Gorman, 19, of Dufton Approach and Macauley Nay, 19, of Dufton Approach.

The injunctions, which last for a year, have various conditions including not associating with each other in public or touching any motor vehicle in West Yorkshire without the owner’s permission.

Breaching the conditions can result in their arrest.

An injunction with similar restrictions was obtained against Ryan Smith, 26, of Brooklands Close, in October.

Orders have also been secured against six other youths, who cannot be named for legal reasons.

Coun Debra Coupar, Leeds City Council’s executive member for Safer Leeds, said: “We simply will not accept this type of anti-social behaviour in our communities and I am pleased that working with the police we have secured these orders.

“I hope this ruling sends out a clear warning to others thinking of taking part in this type of activity that it will not be ignored and they will face similar action.”

We simply will not accept this type of anti-social behaviour. Coun Debra Coupar, Leeds City Council’s executive member for Safer Leeds.