Police have started a crackdown on "nuisance behaviour" from scrambler bikes after people living nearby said they feel "intimidated".
Earlier this year, the ECHO spoke to residents of the High Hill Estate area in Prescot who said children were unable to sleep due to being scared of what had become a "regular problem". Scrambler bikes were said to be "flying" on pathways as one mum previously said : "There's going to be a disaster one day, there really is.
"They aren't just riding on the road, they are flying across pathways and fields. It's not just Prescot either, I've got friends in Huyton who also say they are living with the nightmare."
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Speaking to the ECHO today, the mum - who did not wish to be named - described the problem as a "nuisance". She added: "They are constantly speeding past my house and around the estate, all hours, and they are so loud. It's intimidating as well, especially in the dark."
Knowsley's policing team have recently carried out additional patrols across the borough in a bid to tackle these concerns. It came as part of Merseyside Police’s Operation Brookdale - a response to tackling the illegal and anti-social use of scrambler bikes.
Officers were deployed to identified hotspots across the borough, including areas in Huyton, Prescot and Halewood. Key activity conducted during the day included the seizure of three vehicles for not having insurance and 11 roadside breath tests conducted, with advice given to those drivers who were stopped.
Two e-bikes were also seized, the first rider was detained and will be reported for summons for road traffic offences and the second "made off", but the bike was soon recovered and seized. Following a series of stop searches, two people were found in possession of cannabis and will be questioned at a later date, it was confirmed. One man was also arrested who was wanted in connection with domestic violence issues.
Local Policing Chief Inspector for Knowsley, Duncan Swan said: "Scrambler bikes and other similar illegal vehicles are a blight on our communities, and we are committed to tackling their use. This latest day of action demonstrates the proactive and continued work we are doing.
"We were able to target these hotspot areas because of information shared with us by the local community so I urge residents to continue reporting the use of scrambler bikes so we can deploy our officers where they are needed."
Anyone with information or concerns is being urged to report it. In an emergency call 999. To report to Merseyside Police call 101 or visit www.merseyside.police.uk or report anonymously to Knowsley’s Crime and Communities Team by emailing Safer.Knowsley@knowsley.gov.uk. Crimestoppers can be called via 0800 555 111.
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