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Police On Bikes

New initiative to pursue offenders on motorbikes

The latest from Humberside Police

29/05/2024

Our new force-wide proactive initiative Operation Yokohama will target offenders who use motorbikes to commit crimes across our region.

Officers from our Roads Policing team have undertaken further training in advanced off-road tactics which will allow them to pursue offenders who use motorbikes to deliberately escape officers and avoid arrest.

They will focus on criminal hotspot locations across our force area and will utilise equipment, like stingers, with the new specialist motorbikes for the operation as part of our commitment to tackling criminals using our roads as part of their offending.

With support from the wider Roads Policing team, the specially trained officers will have the skills to pursue offenders in an effort to reduce criminal use of motorbikes across Humberside.

The new motorbikes which the team will be operating on can be ridden on public roads or off-road, which will allow the team to continue with a pursuit into off-road areas.

Inspector John Rickells from our Roads Policing Unit said: “I am really pleased to see the launch of Op Yokohama today, as it will help to keep our communities safe, and especially our roads from criminals who use motorbikes to facilitate their offending.

“Using motorbikes to evade officers often leads to dangerous situations for other road users, and that’s why it is important for us to be proactive in taking these offenders off our roads.

“As part of the operation, officers have received further training which will allow them to pursue offenders on motorbikes and do all that they can to ensure prompt arrest and prevent further crime being committed.

“Officers from the team will be working closely with officers involved with Operation Yellowfin to share information across teams, to ensure resources are targeted effectively, as well as taking part in days of action to tackle high harm offenders.

“They will also be providing reassurance to the public by being visible in locations which we receive the most reports about.

“By working with other departments across the force, the team will be able to disrupt crime across our force area whilst also taking part in preventative work, like community engagement.

“There is no place for crime in Humberside, and we will do everything we can to make sure that those who engage in such behaviour are put before the courts.

“We would always ask that anyone who may have concerns, or information about crime related to motorbikes to please contact us on our non-emergency number 101, or by calling 999 in an emergency. If you would like to report information anonymously, you can call independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”