Lancashire Police target nuisance riders illegally riding off-road...

Lancashire Police are working hard to combat the problem of people riding off-road motorbikes, e-bikes, e-scooters,

and electric assisted pedal cycles illegally in the county. Some of these riders engage in antisocial conduct or use their

bikes to commit crimes like drug selling and robbery.

In addition to endangering the public, nuisance riding raises serious concerns in our communities because it puts

riders at risk of harm.

It has been acknowledged that Lancashire Constabulary is the nation’s leading authority in hearing community

concerns and taking appropriate action. On Lancashire Talking, our community feedback platform, 2,942 people

expressed their concern about motorbike disturbance, including e-bikes and scooters, in 2024. As of 2025, 939

people have expressed the same problem.

In February, a teenager riding a Sur-Ron bike dangerously on Blackpool’s streets and into Stanley Park, was pursued

by policemen on the road and by the police helicopter.

After a tactical collision by our cops ended the pursuit, the 17-year-old rider later appeared in court and was

disqualified for driving.

Riders of illicit bikes were seriously injured in two recent crashes in Blackburn.

As part of Lancashire Police’s countywide anti-social behaviour campaign, Operation Centurion, which is supported

by Police and Crime Commissioner Clive Grunshaw, we are dedicated to removing bikes that are being used illegally

from public spaces and off the streets.

“Dangerous and illegal riding of motorbikes, e-bikes, scooters, and electric assisted pedal cycles is a problem in

Lancashire and something that is having an adverse impact on the law-abiding citizens of our county,” stated

Assistant Chief Constable Karen Edwards, who oversees operational policing throughout the county. Our

communities are telling us that they want us to address this problem, and we will do just that. Electric motorcycles

and scooters are now being used by some criminals to perpetrate crimes including robbery and drug trafficking. In

addition to actively pursuing and apprehending criminals, we are developing an intelligence picture. The public has

frequently helped officers by supplying information and intelligence, which has allowed us to create a comprehensive

profile of the criminal activity.

Furthermore, we have responded to fatal collisions and significant injuries involving illegally ridden bikes in

Lancashire, which worries me. More concerningly, riders have occasionally hurt innocent bystanders in addition to

themselves. Teenagers and younger kids are increasingly utilising these bikes and scooters, endangering both

themselves and other people. I want to emphasise that parents must be responsible for their children, but we also

want to educate people about the risks of riding illegally. Purchasing a costly electric bike or scooter for a child could

have disastrous results.

“We continue to regularly target people who use electric bikes to commit crimes, put our community in danger, or

engage in antisocial behaviour. Several targeted operations have been carried out, and more are planned. If these

motorcycles are connected to illegal activity or are being used in an antisocial way that endangers members of the

public, we will confiscate and destroy them.

“We are addressing your issues as evidenced by the recent high-profile operations in which our Roads Crime team,

Roads Policing team, Neighbourhood Policing Teams, and dog team, with support from the National Police Air

Service, removed 473 bikes from the road. I express my gratitude to the Lancashire communities for their ongoing

assistance.

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