Eight motorbikes seized and drugs recovered during proactive operation in Stockton

Eight motorbikes were seized and suspected Class A drugs were recovered during a proactive operation to tackle the criminal use of bikes across Stockton.

Operation Endurance is dedicated to tackling off-road vehicles and associated criminality and on Friday 29^th a day of action was held by Outer Stockton Neighbourhood Policing Team.

Officers first attended the Wynyard area after reports of a teenager who was driving a moped in an antisocial way. The moped was recovered and two section 59 warnings were issued.

On Hive Close in Stockton, officers arrested two people after they located a motorbike that was believed to have been stolen. Further enquiries led officers to recover two other motorbikes and a mini quad along with a large amount of what is believed to be Class A drugs.

A 36-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs, possession of a Class B drug and theft of a motor vehicle and a 17-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs. They were both bailed pending further enquiries.

The busy day didn’t stop there however after a blue moped was recovered from Redcar Road in Thornaby and a Transit van was seized from the Meadowings in Yarm following reports from the local community they were being used in criminality. The van also had no valid insurance.

A further two off-road motorbikes were seized following reports of dangerous driving in the Littleboy Drive and Acklam Road area of Thornaby.

PC Jordan Williams from the Neighbourhood team said: “Stockton’s Neighbourhood Policing Team is committed to tackling the illegal use of vehicles and the dangers that they pose. I’d urge anyone who has any information on where these vehicles are being kept to contact Cleveland Police by calling 101, reporting through our website or via the COPA app.

“Your reports can be anonymous and your local neighbourhood officers can develop this intelligence on addresses or locations where bikes are being stored so that we can take action.”

Superintendent Al O’Donoghue said: “This activity sends a clear message that we can, and we will take decisive action against those using motorbikes and vehicles to commit crime or cause harm within our communities.

“With multiple vehicles seized, suspected Class A drugs recovered and arrests made, this operation continues to disrupt criminal activity across Stockton.

“We know the impact this behaviour has on residents, and we will not tolerate it, not on our streets. I'd like to thank the public for their information that has driven this activity – our officers have been able to act swiftly and effectively because of you.

“I want to reassure Stockton residents that alongside our partners, who play a key part in this activity, we will continue to target offenders, seize vehicles, and take robust action to keep our neighbourhoods safe. If you have information, please continue to come forward. We do listen and act – your reports make a real difference.”