An operation to tackle anti-social and dangerous use of off-road bikes has begun in the Barrow and Furness area.
Led by the Barrow Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT), targeted activity has been carried out in response to the growing concerns, and frequent reports, of off-road bikes being ridden dangerously, illegally, and putting the public and law-abiding motorists at risk. Additionally, Operation Leopard will also target those who ride these bikes off the road in public spaces, causing criminal damage and spoiling the environment for those going about their leisure activities.
Beginning in late September, NPT officers, alongside colleagues from the Roads Policing Unit (RPU), carried out intelligence-led hotspot patrols in both marked and unmarked patrol vehicles. Our highly trained RPU Officers were able to use their significant resources to apprehend riders and seize their bikes.
The next phase of Operation Leopard used our Police Drone as the eye-in-the-sky to find and follow riders, with our Police Officers on the ground then directed to the offenders where once again they and their bikes were dealt with.
The operation will be continuing on a regular basis and we will be using the same resources to target these bikes, and in particular in the Autumn and Winter months where the darker, colder and wetter conditions will increase the danger to everyone, including the riders.
We are pleased to report that in the first few weeks of Operation Leopard, we have taken nine mechanically propelled bikes off the road that been used illegally and dangerously. Additionally, three riders have been reported for offences around licences and no insurance.
Speaking about the operation Police Sergeant John Dilks, of Barrow & Furness NPT, said: “Operation Leopard was set up in response to complaints from the public of regular anti-social use of bikes in and around Barrow, and we recognise that this is something which has a big impact on our communities.
“Not only were there concerns around ASB and the dangers to other motorists and pedestrians, but also the danger the riders are putting themselves in by riding in this manner”.
“We must plan operations of this nature very carefully, and ensure we have the right resources in place, as I’m sure the public will recognise the risks involved in bringing these bikes and riders to a safe stop. We thank the public for their patience and ask they continue to tell us when and where this ASB is occurring. We will listen, and we will act upon this information. This is the just the start, and Operation Leopard will continue to bear its teeth and target those intent on putting the law-abiding public and road users in danger.”
Anyone with any information regarding off-road bikes can contact Cumbria Police on 101.
You can get advice on illegal bikes here - Vehicle nuisance involving cars, bikes and mopeds | Cumbria Police
This work forms part of Operation Enhance.
Operation Enhance is funded after Cumbria’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner secured an additional £1m of extra funding from the Government’s Hotspot Response Fund to target anti-social behaviour (ASB) and serious violence in hotspot areas across the county.
There are increased patrols in Barrow as part of Operation Enhance, and early figures show that since the start of the operation in July and August 2024, ASB has fallen by 35% compared to the same period 12 months ago, in the hotspot areas of Barrow and Ulverston.