Police in Wigan have arrested four people and seized 14 bikes. This crackdown aims to address the rising issue of anti-social behavior in the area.
The operation, called Handbrake, is a joint effort with the local council. They’re focusing on motorbikes, e-bikes, and quad bikes. Wigan has a lot of green spaces, which attract these riders.
Unfortunately, some of these riders come from as far as Yorkshire. They’re using public paths and bridleways without permission. It’s illegal to ride off-road bikes on land without the landowner’s okay.
In the last two weeks, police took 14 bikes off the streets. They even seized five bikes in one day from the Wutchie and Westleigh areas.
The arrests were for various reasons, including handling stolen goods. Sergeant Dan Canavan said this operation is a big step in fighting anti-social behavior.
He emphasized that illegal off-road biking is a real problem. It causes distress for local residents and can be dangerous. The police want to send a strong message: this behavior won’t be tolerated.
Sergeant Canavan thanked the community for their support. He encouraged everyone to keep reporting these issues. Together, they can make Wigan a safer place. The Handbrake patrols will continue throughout the week and on weekends.
