Operation Hurricane cracks down on illegal activity across Rochdale as four bikes are seized

Police teams across Rochdale joined forces on Sunday 10 August for a targeted off-road bike operation, aimed at tackling illegal and anti-social vehicle use across the district.

Operation Hurricane saw a coordinated deployment of neighbourhood officers, PCSOs, support from the Special Constabulary and volunteers from the community come together for this targeted day of action. We also had the support of a number of resources from the Special Operations Road Policing Unit assisting the local officers on the operation.

During the day, neighbourhood officers tracked three off-road bikes to a supermarket in Heywood. One bike was found to be uninsured and seized.

A further three bikes were seized as part of the operation, which saw proactive targeting of hotspots that the community have informed officers about.

Two arrests were made, four stop-searches conducted and the appropriate orders issued during the work.

Of these arrests, one man has since been charged and a woman has been released with no further action.

The action comes part of GMP’s wider Safe4Summer campaign, which supports the governments Safer Streets Mission and focuses on tackling ASB and improving community safety. 

Rochdale is already supported by a force-wide operation cracking down on off-road bikes – which has seen dozens of bikes seized across multiple districts.

Sergeant Brendan Walsh from the Rochdale North Neighbourhood Team, said: “The use of illegal off-road bikes around our towns and streets is being seen far too often.

“We are taking a front-footed approach on the issue and are tackling the issue head-on with teams of neighbourhood officers stopping and seizing any bike deemed to be illegal.

“We successful seized four illegal bikes, made two arrests, carried out four stop searches, issued two Public Space Protection Order fines and two police warnings.

“We are incredibly clear, anyone using these illegal bikes on our roads will be stopped and we will seize them if they are not legal."

GMP remains committed to tackling the illegal use of off-road bikes. Anyone that witnesses their use is encouraged to report it by calling 101, or 999 in an emergency.