Operation Dragster returns to tackle off-road moorland riders in Rochdale

On Sunday 16 March 2025, Rochdale North and East Neighbourhood Officers as well as the Special Constabulary, assisted by several community volunteers and United Utilities took part in Operation Dragster. This is a long-standing initiative between our local officers, partners and volunteers to tackle unlawful and anti-social behaviour caused by off road vehicles in rural parts of the district.

Also assisted by Specialist Operations resources and specifically the Motorcycle Unit they were tasked to specific moorland in North and East Rochdale to tackle off road vehicles causing considerable disruption, with several vehicles seized throughout the day and the riders reported for various offences.

Results included:

• Three off-road bikes were seized under Section 59 Police Reform Act. It was established that the riders had travelled from Sheffield, Nottingham and Leigh.

• Two Quad bikes were seized under Section 59 Police Reform Act. The riders had travelled from Accrington and Blackburn.
• Community Protection Warnings issued to the riders who have also been reported to Rochdale Council Community Safety Team to issue fines for breaching the Boroughwide Public Space Protection Order.

• Damage was caused to a fence in a farmer’s field along Edenfield Road by one rider who unfortunately escaped just before officers arrived, with another rider who also attempted to escape through a fence was however detained.

• On the way back into the station, eagle-eyed officers located a vehicle which had earlier failed to stop, and it was seized under Section 165 Road Traffic Act for having no insurance.
• A vehicle was seen driving erratically by a local PCSO and two officers. After being observed it was stopped safely. The driver failed a roadside breath test which showed him two times over the legal limit and was subsequently arrested on suspicion of driving whilst under the influence of alcohol.

Commenting on the specific enforcement, Sergeant Brendan Walsh from our Rochdale district said; “Over the last year we have seen a steady increase in our enforcement and operations of this nature, as we look to act on residents’ concerns, especially with the weather starting to improve we know incidents start to increase again.

“As with operations like this, it takes a lot of organised and joint working to ensure we can get maximum impact on the day and will continue to conduct and plan further patrols in the coming weeks unannounced.

“The message remains clear though. That we will take the strongest possible action in terms of enforcement if you are intent on causing unnecessary disruption. It is not acceptable having large groups of riders causing damage to the moorland, damage to land owners property, including damage to fencing which allows animals to escape, and danger to legitimate users of the land such as horse riders, cyclists, farmers, and walkers who are trying to enjoy our local areas responsibly.”

Anyone with ongoing details and information that can help officers are asked to report these at their earliest convenience to 101 direct quoting incident 814 of 16/03/2025.