Officers out in Chester city centre for latest Operation Lawmaker deployment

Anti-social bike riders have been targeted in Chester by officers from the Roads and Crime Unit working as part of Operation Lawmaker.

On Thursday 18th September, officers working under Operation Lawmaker were deployed to Chester city centre for an afternoon of operation targeting the anti-social and dangerous usage of e-bikes and off-road vehicles.

Operation Lawmaker is a bespoke policing operation that is designed to curb future irresponsible riding in the area and officers across the LPU have been working proactively to target individuals intent on causing anti-social behaviour in the city centre and surrounding areas who have been endangering themselves and pedestrians.

Over course of the day of action, officers issued a total of nine traffic offence reports, along with a total of five section 165 seizure notices.

Officers also seized a go-kart-style vehicle.

A 53-year-old man from Sealand was also arrested by an officer from the Motorcycle Unit for failing to stop for police and assaulting an emergency worker.

He has since been released on unconditional bail.

Chief Inspector Cameron Taylor, of the Roads and Crime Unit, said:

“Operation Lawmaker is Cheshire Constabularies response to reports of young people riding electric motorbikes in particular within pedestrian areas of the town, driving at considerable speed and whilst often not wearing helmets - what they are doing is not only illegal it’s also putting their lives and the lives of innocent members of the public at risk.

"The anti-social behaviour caused by the unsafe use of motorbikes in pedestrian areas is a priority issue and I want to reassure the public that officers will take a robust approach with those causing such harm within your communities.

“Keeping our roads safe for all road-users and pedestrians is an instrumental part of the Constabulary’s involvement in the Safer Summer Streets campaign, which aims strengthen local policing in our Cheshire communities and reduce or prevent anti-social behaviour.

“Today’s action forms just a part of the wider part of the work we have been putting in to keep our streets safe this summer. Over the course of the campaign, officers county-wide have been disrupting riders and tackling the issue head on with bespoke operations such as Lawmaker, as well as through the exploration of new diversionary and prevention tactics alongside our partner organisations to create and develop community engagement opportunities.

“As we approach the autumn and winter months and the conclusion of the initiative, be under no illusion, our priority remains the same: the anti-social and dangerous riding of any vehicle will not be tolerated and we will continue to respond to community concerns raised to us regarding speeding and careless driving.”

Anyone with information regarding the riding of electric bikes, motorbikes or quad bikes in pedestrian areas or on Cheshire’s roads should contact Cheshire Constabulary on 101 or give the details via the website.

Alternatively, information can be reported to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via the Crimestoppers website.

Pictured - Officers seized a go-kart-style vehicle.