The rider of a scrambler bike and his passenger are in police custody after a crash with a police vehicle.
Merseyside Police received a report on Tuesday May 30, that a stolen motorcycle was being driven along the East Lancashire Road, Liverpool erratically and at high speed.
The National Police Air Service (NPAS) helicopter was able to track the motorcycle from a distance and followed it until the driver and passenger had parked up on Neston Street in Liverpool.
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Officers in a patrol car then drove into the street with the intention of arresting the two men and retrieving the bike, but the men spotted them and rode off on to County Road.
A crash then occurred when police tried to stop the scrambler bike, on County Road at around 8pm.
The driver of the vehicle, a 28-year-old man from Liverpool, was arrested at the scene on suspicion of drug driving, aggravated – unlawful taking of a motor vehicle, failing to stop for police, driving other than in accordance with a licence and driving without insurance.
The passenger, a 22-year-old man from Liverpool, was later arrested a short distance away on suspicion of theft of a motor bike, drug driving and causing a public nuisance.
The driver was taken to hospital as a precaution where he was discharged a short while later.
Both men have been taken to a police station where they will be interviewed by officers.
Inspector Ian Laycock said: “Riding a suspected stolen motorcycle in such a dangerous manner on our streets could have could have resulted in serious harm and injury to other road users and pedestrians in our community and I would like to thank the police officers who bravely stopped the vehicle involved.
“Offenders who drive these bikes have no regard for anyone but themselves and don’t care about the consequences of their actions.
“We will continue to take immediate action against those involved in the criminal use of scrambler bikes on our roads and will do everything possible to locate and seize suspected stolen bikes and arrest those who are putting the safety of others at risk.
“I would like to take this opportunity to reassure our residents in Walton that we are relentless in our efforts to tackle such dangerous driving and take any bikes involved off our roads.
“Although we have made two arrests I appeal to anyone who has information about this incident or where such bikes are being stored to contact us."
Anyone with information on scrambler bikes can contact Merseyside Police social media desk via Twitter @MerPolCC or Facebook ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre’. People can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or via their website at crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/forms/give-information-anonymously
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