A 17-year-old man has been arrested after police stopped a motorcycle which they believed had been stolen in Bath.
The stolen bike after it was recovered in Bristol | Photo courtesy of Avon & Somerset Police
At around 7pm on Thursday 7th September, police received numerous calls from members of the public reporting a group of motorcyclists trying to steal motorbikes in the city.
The National Police Air Service (NPAS) helicopter was deployed from Bristol to help officers on the ground track a suspected stolen motorbike with rider and pillion passenger.
When it was safe to do so, a police stinger device was used to stop the vehicle on Clouds Hill Road in St George, Bristol, at about 8pm.
One person was detained nearby following a search involving a police dog handler.
A 17-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving, theft of a motor vehicle and failing to stop for police.
A black Honda motorbike PCX125, reported stolen from Laura Place on Thursday, has been recovered.
In a separate incident, officers responded to a call reporting the theft of a Yamaha XSR 700 motorbike which had been left secured on Queens Road, Clifton on Thursday.
The motorcycle was tracked to Fishponds and recovered, and the investigation continues.
In a statement, Avon & Somerset Police said: “We’ve seen a troubling rise in motorcycle theft and associated antisocial motorbike use recently.
“If you see someone acting suspiciously around any sort of motorbike or moped, please call 999 immediately.
“If you have any other information which could help us tackle the problem, ring 101, or report through our website https://www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/report/.”
Alternatively contact the independent charity Crimestoppers 100 per cent anonymously by calling 0800 555 111, or online at https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information.
