Tackling nuisance bikes head on

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On Tuesday, Durham Roads & Armed Policing (DRAP) PCs Murphy and Logan were on patrol in Darlington when they spotted this off-road Surron bike being ridden anti-socially in the town centre.

The rider, complete with balaclava and no helmet, seemed oblivious to the fact a marked police car was following him and continued to weave in and out of traffic, causing other drivers to have to brake to avoid hitting him.

The rider then cut over a path into a car park, before riding into a dead end behind a shop, still oblivious to the officers behind him.

When he tried to turn around, the officers tactically used their vehicle to pin his bike against a fence and swiftly apprehended him. He may have also lost a shoe during the struggle.

A 15-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of several offences, and the bike was seized.

The boy also failed the roadside drug test and was taken into custody where he refused to provide a sample.

The teenager was later charged with driving without due care and attention, having no licence, having no insurance, not wearing a helmet and failing to provide a specimen.

He is expected to appear at Newton Aycliffe Youth Court on July 10. We can’t name him because of his age, but we will keep you updated on the court outcome.

Inspector Mick Todd said: “Some people are under the impression we can’t pursue riders that aren’t wearing helmets or e-bikes at all, but that is not true.

“Of course we want to prevent harm before it happens, but where riders choose to ignore the law, fail to stop for police or put the public at risk, we will take robust action - including tactical contact - to bring incidents to a safe conclusion.”