Officers in Exeter seized six e-bikes and made four arrests as part of efforts to tackle antisocial behaviour and organised crime. On 12 March, neighbourhood police conducted an operation targeting illegally modified e-bikes in the city.
Officers in Exeter have seized six e-bikes and made four arrests as part of their ongoing commitment to tackling antisocial behaviour and organised crime in the city.
On Thursday 12 March, officers from the Exeter neighbourhood policing team carried out an operation targeting illegally modified e-bikes in Exeter.
The proactive, multi-agency operation focused on those using e-bikes for criminality and those considered to not be safe or roadworthy, as well as identifying and safeguarding individuals who may be at risk of exploitation as part of serious and organised crime.
During the operation, riders were stopped and spoken to by the neighbourhood policing team, who checked the legality and speed capabilities of the e-bikes, which led to six e-bikes being seized as a result of illegal modifications and being used without insurance.
Sgt Andrew Walton, who heads up the neighbourhood officers in Exeter and led the operation, said: “Whilst the most e-bike users ride their bikes safely and in accordance with the law, there are some riders using illegally modified bikes and causing concerns for people living in or visiting the city.
“Roads in Exeter city centre can get very busy and we know that modified e-bikes often travel at excessive speeds which put pedestrians and other road users at risk.
“We also know from intelligence and previous operations that there is a link between e-bike use and organised criminality.
“Residents can expect to continue to see police presence in the city and the neighbourhood policing team will continue to use a variety of tactics to keep Exeter safe.”
The neighbourhood team were supported by specially trained Immigration Enforcement Officers who carried out immigration checks and arrested four people for suspected immigration-related offences; and Modern Slavery Victim Liaison Officers who are trained to support people who may be victims of exploitation.
The four people arrested on 12 March have been released on immigration bail and investigations are ongoing.
If you see something suspicious, please report it to us by filling in a form on our website or by calling 101.
If anyone is in immediate danger, always call 999.
You can also share information 100% anonymously to Crimestoppers: https://crimestoppers-uk.org
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