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Motorcycle crime proves difficult to stamp out across the UK as law enforcement tries everything from bait bikes to DNA sprays to crushing the offenders’ vehicles, all with varying success.
The Northumbria police have a new idea to combat troublesome riders on stolen or illegal motorcycles, like unplated dirt bikes. Police reason that the thieves, “who make life a misery for their community,” can’t just pull up to the gas — I’m sorry, petrol — station and fill up their stolen or off-road-only bikes without drawing attention to themselves. Instead, thieves and hooligans leave their bikes at home and simply take their petrol cans to the station for a refill. Police also believe that young hooligans ask adults to buy petrol for them on the sly.
This is apparently backed up by many hours of policework called Operation Benelli. “The team review every crime involving a motorcycle, look for patterns of behaviour and work with neighbourhood officers to target patrols in the right places,” says the Northumbria Police blog.
The idea is that requiring an ID will allow police to compile a list of suspicious characters who are frequently purchasing fuel to fill a can. The list can be cross-checked against bike theft suspects, presumably culminating in busts.
“We carried out a number of enquiries and established those involved in motorcycle disorder had been purchasing fuel in fuel cans,” said Sergeant Paul Cook. “So, we have been working closely with the borough’s petrol stations and have introduced measures to ensure that children can not purchase fuel in this way… By working with local businesses, and our Operation Benelli team, we are already seeing results and have reduced motorcycle disorder in Gateshead.”
The department has noted that gas station customers cannot be forced to divulge their reasons for buying fuel. Stations participating in the program are within their rights to deny service, however.
A decrease in motorcycle-related crime is not inconsequential, especially in Northumbria, where reports of motorcycle-related disorder continue. The effectiveness of ID checks remains to be seen as Operation Benelli enters its second year. However, police may face a new challenge when troublemakers remember that siphon pumps exist.
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