Stolen bike recovered, suspect arrested and e-bike offences targeted in operation - WOMBOURNE

We have arrested a teenage boy and recovered a stolen pedal bike following a successful operation in south Staffordshire.

On Tuesday 11 August, your local officers carried out targeted patrols in and around the Wombourne area, including Highgate Common and the Railway Walk, responding to local concerns and looking for those riding e-bikes illegally.

Officers were deployed around key locations in the area and were supported by a force drone pilot.

Firstly, we spotted a man riding an electric motorbike along the Railway Walk. The rider lost control and the bike crashed down an embankment, where he then ran off.

The bike was seized by officers.

Officers located a man matching the description of the rider a short time later, roughly a mile away from the Railway Walk. He will be interviewed in due course over suspected driving offences.

Then, officers who were patrolling the canal network near to Dimmingsdale Bridge Garden Centre spotted another person riding an electric off-road bike. He was stopped and searched, leading to the discovery of a small amount of cannabis.

The bike was seized and the rider has been reported for driving without a licence and driving without insurance. He was also served with a community resolution in relation to the cannabis.

Our patrols were then made aware of a robbery report near to Billy Buns Lane, Wombourne, where two mountain bikes had been stolen by suspects. Officers later found one of the stolen bikes outside a home in Sedgley, leading to the arrest of a 15-year-old boy, from Dudley, on suspicion of robbery.

Inspector Nicola Brookes said: “This was a very successful operation where officers have worked proactively to act on the concerns of local people.

“We know the impact that anti-social behaviour and off-road vehicle offences can have on people, which is why we’re continuing to work hard to identify those responsible and to take robust action.

“I’d ask anyone who is worried about this type of criminality to report it to us on 101. We are actioning intelligence everyday and using a range of tactics to stop those involved and to act directly on the main concerns of our communities.”