Hull: Motorbike taskforce continue to take action

Last weekend, officers from the motorbike taskforce have taken to the streets in partnership with the helicopter from the National Police Air Service (NPAS) as a part of a targeted operation to tackle nuisance motorbikes in Hull.

The team carried out a number of organised stings which enabled NPAS, the eyes in the sky, to help the taskforce riding the motorbikes to tactfully target those attempting to evade police whilst riding in an unsafe and anti-social manner.

Throughout the course of the weekend the team have successfully confiscated five motorbikes and arrested a total of four people resulting in the charge of two men.

• Hayden Shipley (24) of Marfleet Lane, Hull was charged with dangerous driving, driving without insurance and without a license.

• Joseph Higinbotham, aged 29 of Beckington Close, Hull was charged with assaulting an emergency worker, dangerous driving, failing to stop, driving without insurance and failing to provide a roadside drink/drugs test.

Both men have been released on police bail to appear at Hull Magistrates Court at a later date.

Launched July 2021, the motorcycle taskforce consists of 12 officers from Humberside’s Neighbourhood Policing Teams and members of Hull City Councils anti-social behaviour team.

Since launching, the team have achieved no end of success through positive engagement with the local communities, businesses and the local biker community.

Police Sergeant Chris Campbell leading this weekend’s action said: “We have continued to speak to lots of people in the community who have been really pleased to see our officers out on motorbikes tackling ongoing issues of antisocial motorcycle riding.

“We consistently work together with local partners and our local communities to bring about longer term solutions. This includes designing out access to locations where motorcycles are repeatedly used in this way, enhancing CCTV coverage to help identify those responsible and hold them to account and carrying out days of action to retrieve stolen motorbikes.

“Over the last week we have seen some increasingly dry and sunny weather and, as we head into the summer months, we are expecting to see an increase in reports across hot-spot areas.

“Throughout this period, we will be running community surgeries and keeping residents up to date through My Community Alert as we continue to tackle the issue.

“Whilst we continue to build on these positive relationships, I cannot stress enough how important it is for us to hear from our residents about the problems they are experiencing as this helps us achieve a better understanding on how we tackle the issues and build an intelligence picture. You can report any incidents to us on our non-emergency number 101.”

You can also report the misuse of motorbikes anonymously by calling CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111 or by visiting the Humberside Police website for more information.