Suspected bike menaces got a rude awakening on Monday (30/10) as West Midlands Police executed 28 dawn raids in an operation targeting louts who plague communities and intimidate road users.
Officers swooped on addresses in Birmingham, Solihull, Coventry and the Black Country – starting with a 5am warrant in Castle Bromwich – in a move underlining the force’s commitment to tackling lawless road rallies.
A total of 14 off-roaders and quad bikes were seized – including four from an industrial unit in Chelmsley Wood – and impounded while investigators probe their links to so called ‘Ride Outs’ that have brought chaos to the region’s roads.
One man was arrested for obstructing police during a warrant at an address in Small Heath, while a stolen scooter was recovered from a house in Yardley.
It’s the latest phase of police action – codenamed Operation Wraithbane – targeting illegal bike rallies that have seen louts taking to the streets on scramblers, pit bikes, mini motos and quad bikes.
Inspector Andy Bridgewater led today’s enforcement activity. He said: “We’ve seen off-road bikers clogging up roads, intimidating motorists, jumping red lights, pulling stunts in the street and putting pedestrians in danger.
“Some of the video footage we’ve captured has been truly shocking: bikers ramping up kerbs and speeding along pavements…sometimes just yards away from school children. It’s totally unacceptable and I sympathise with anyone that’s been inconvenienced by these groups.
“We’re taking firm action against offenders: 53 have been arrested and seven have now been charged with public nuisance offences. The rest are on bail and also face being taken to court.
“People have recently been jailed in other parts of the country for such offences which shows how seriously the courts view this behaviour. We’ve also now seized a total of more than 50 bikes – and they will be destroyed if we can show they have been used anti-socially.”
A Halloween ‘Ride Out’ in 2016 saw up to 200 lout bikers – many wearing face coverings – take to the streets of Solihull and Birmingham; fireworks were hurled at other road users and a police van came under attack.
And Insp Bridgewater had a warning for anyone planning on causing trouble at similar events today. He added: “People need to recognise that if they participate in ride outs they can expect a knock on the door from the police, we will seize their bikes…and they can prepare for a day in court.
“West Midlands Police has pioneered the use of ‘stingers’ to deflate the tyres on offenders’ bikes and we’ve recently equipped our traffic officers with a DNA spray to tag riders and their vehicles.
“Communities are telling us they are fed up with bikers who feel they own the roads and are intimidating others; I’d urge anyone with information on who might be involved in this type of criminality, or what bikes are involved, to contact us so we can take further action.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact their neighbourhood police team via the West Midlands Police website.
