A police operation targeting offenders using high-powered e-bikes and e-scooters has resulted in multiple arrests and vehicles being taken off the roads.
The operation, named Op Enduro, was carried out in Southampton on Thursday, November 27.
Officers from various units, including the Violent Crime Taskforce, Priority Crime Team, Neighbourhood Enforcement Team, Roads Policing Unit, Shirley Neighbourhood Policing Team, and Bevois Neighbourhood Policing Team, collaborated for the crackdown.
The operation led to the arrest of one woman suspected of supplying Class A drugs and money laundering.
Two men were arrested on suspicion of drug driving, and another man was arrested for recall to prison.
A man and a woman, both high priority wanted suspects, were spotted and arrested by plain clothes officers, while a total of 12 e-scooters and e-motorbikes were seized along with two uninsured cars, with the riders and drivers reported for summons.
Two stolen motorbikes were also recovered; one was found intact and ready to be returned to its owner, while the other was burned out.
Nearly £1,000 in cash, suspected to be drug money, was seized during the operation.
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A spokesperson for Hampshire police said: “Yesterday, November 27, officers from the Violent Crime Taskforce, Priority Crime Team, Neighbourhood Enforcement Team, Roads Policing Unit, Shirley Neighbourhood Policing Team and Bevois Neighbourhood Policing Team came together for Op Enduro.
“This proactive operation aimed to identify and engage with those likely to commit violent crime, tackle anti-social behaviour, and disrupt the supply of drugs.
“Offenders involved in these activities often rely on high-powered e-bikes and e-scooters, using parks, alleyways and underpasses to evade police.
“These areas are usually difficult to intercept – but yesterday our RPU units, utilising both on-road and off-road bikes, proved invaluable in closing those gaps.
“The operation also saw officers across teams in both uniform and plain clothes, gathering intel, patrolling on pedal bikes and in cars.”
The operation aimed to identify and engage with individuals likely to commit violent crimes, address anti-social behaviour, and disrupt the supply of drugs.
The spokesperson added: “We will not stop tackling violent crime and anti-social behaviour in our city.
“Together, we will make Southampton safer.”
