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       The moment police step in front of off-road bikes and shout 'stop'
       amid major crackdown
        
 (HTM) Source
        
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       Surrounded by trees in the spring sunshine, this was the moment police
       brought off-road bikes to a halt in a Greater Manchester beauty spot.
       A major crackdown is underway to tackle the scourge of off-road bikes
       across the Wigan borough.
        
       With 70 per cent of the Wigan borough being classed as green space,
       and with two canals running through it, police say a growing number of
       off-road bikes have been drawn to the area's footpaths and towpaths.
       Operation Handbrake has been launched by Greater Manchester Police and
       Wigan Council in a bid to combat the issue.
        
       Video footage, captured by a GMP officer's body-worn camera, shows the
       moment two off-road bikes were brought to a halt on April 28. Officers
       can be seen running in front of the vehicles, with one heard shouting:
       "Stop where you are... turn the engine off."
        
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       The officer adds: "You know you're not meant to be on here, don't
       you?" Officers seized three off-road bikes on the first day of
       Operation Handbrake, with one stolen bike recovered.
        
       One section 59 warning - referring to a vehicle being used in a manner
       which causes alarm, distress or annoyance - and a notice of intended
       prosecution were sent out. Two people were also prosecuted for having
       no insurance.
        
       Sergeant Dan Canavan, of GMP's neighbourhood policing team based in
       Leigh, said: "We want to create safer spaces in the community and with
       the help of our partners, we have undertaken a proactive and
       intelligence-led, highly visible operation, getting these dangerous
       bikes away from areas which residents enjoy. We've had several reports
       from members of the public who are fed up with off-road bikes and the
       antisocial behaviour they bring, causing disruption to the walkers,
       cyclists and families who want to enjoy our green spaces across the
       Wigan district.
        
       GMP says a wide range of tactics will be used as part of the
       operation, including the use of a drone to locate and track riders.
       The force says the presence of unauthorised off-road motorbikes and
       quad bikes on footpaths, bridleways and towpaths - and the way they
       are driven - brings them 'into conflict with the legitimate users of
       green space'.
        
       From left: A bike seized by police, and GMP's drone (Image: GMP)
        
       Inspector Sam Davies, of GMP's neighbourhood team in Wigan, added:
       "Ultimately those individuals who wish to use off-road vehicles
       illegally need to understand they are having a serious, detrimental
       impact, on the quality of life of local residents and there will be
       repercussions for their behaviour. This also applies to those who
       assist in transporting off road vehicles to and from locations across
       the borough."
        
       Information can be passed on to GMP by calling 101. Alternatively,
       contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555
       111.
        
        
        
        
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