North Manchester neighbourhood team running dedicated operation to tackle nuisance e-bikes

An operation aimed at smashing the issue of nuisance e-bikes in the north Manchester area has seen multiple arrests and vehicle seizures.

The work – falling under the name Operation Eagleye - has been put in place in response to reports of e-bikes being ridden dangerously across North Manchester, including the Miles Platting, Collyhurst, and Monsall areas.

Local teams have received reports in recent weeks of nuisance and dangerous e-bikes causing issues for law-abiding residents. This includes e-bikes dangerously and illegally operating in traffic, being used to deal drugs, and causing a noise issue for locals.

It additonally has been flagged as a vulnerability for the area utilising the national intelligence-driven programme 'MORILE' (Management of Risk in Law Enforcement), which is designed to create standardized, data-driven tools for prioritizing risks.

This anti-social behaviour has prompted the proactive work, which will remain in place while action is taken against those responsible.

On Friday (24 April), around 20 officers flooded the area with multiple resources – including the use of the overt drone unit, bikes, marked cars and plain clothed officers who were patrolling this wide area around North Manchester.

This saw officers pursue bikes, stop-search suspects, and build intelligence on issues that are being caused within communities.

In total four bikes were seized, in addition to an e-scooter, while a quantity of cannabis was recovered during one of the stop-searches.

Over the past several weeks, the team has secured multiple arrests for various offences – from drugs supply and knife possession to theft and burglary – and which forms part of their proactive output.

Operation Eagleye will continue in its mission to reduce anti-social behaviour and crime associated with e-bikes, e-cooters, mopeds, and other off-road bikes in the coming weeks and months.

The local neighbourhood policing team is additionally continuing to engage with the community, including partners in the council, schools, and more, to achieve a dedicated joint- approach to issues within the district and wider areas.

Inspector Dan Pickavance, who set-up the operation with his team, said: “Anti-social e-bikes are both dangerous and a nuisance to communities. From the way they are ridden throughout traffic with no care for those around them, to the criminal activities that can accompany them, we have received multiple reports in recent weeks and I totally understand the frustration of drivers and residents.

“This operation is designed to specifically track and root out e-bikes in the area. If we see you on one, you will be stopped to ensure its safety and road compliance. If you make off or we suspect you of a crime, you can expect to end up in cuffs and your bike locked up.

“The work so far has already seen us seize multiple bikes and other vehicles – getting them off the streets and stopping criminality. We have seen far too often the consequences of these bikes being ridden dangerously, and we will continue to do whatever we can to protect the public.

“This work will continue until we see a significant change and the community can expect to see us out in force over the coming weeks.

“If you have any issues with anything in your area, please do get in touch with us, either directly or anonymously. All of your intelligence will be acted on and dealt with accordingly.”