How a DNA spray will be used to tackle rogue riders in a crackdown on motorbike 'misery' in Northumberland

A new operation to tackle motorbike disorder, which ’causes misery for communities’, has been launched in Northumberland.
By Ben O'Connell
Published 27th Jul 2020, 11:32 BST
Updated 27th Jul 2020, 13:10 BST
Northumbria Police has been working with councillors to tackle the issue of motorbike disorder.Northumbria Police has been working with councillors to tackle the issue of motorbike disorder.
Northumbria Police has been working with councillors to tackle the issue of motorbike disorder.

The kick-off of Operation Scrambler comes on the back of Cllr Scott Dickinson, the ward member for Druridge Bay, stepping in to support Northumbria Police with the funding to buy special DNA spray.

The technology, which has proved successful in South Shields, Gateshead and Newcastle, enables police officers to tag offenders.

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Rogue riders have become an increasing problem in communities in recent years, with authorities exploring a variety of ways of tackling offenders.

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Police officers will carry canisters containing an invisible, water-based solution which can be sprayed on riders’ skin, clothes or bikes with a uniquely-coded dye that is visible under ultraviolet light.

Cllr Dickinson said: “I was happy to support this scheme. Residents contact me on a regular basis and, working in partnership with Northumbria Police, I am determined that estates in Widdrington and Hadston will not be plagued by this type of behaviour which causes misery to people in our community.

“Local residents know I always take action based on their interests and this type of scheme has proven benefits elsewhere in Northumberland and will do here too.”

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Similar operations in Blyth have already seen a number of motorcycles seized and riders identified and it is hoped that the momentum can be continued in Cllr Dickinson’s ward.

PCSO Susan McCallum said: “We were delighted that Cllr Dickinson was keen to help following the successes seen in other areas of Northumberland.

“We are keen to work together to ensure that we do everything we can to tackle the misery this type of behaviour is causing communities.

“We will be working alongside neighbourhood teams across the force to tackle this type of crime and target patrols where they find patterns of criminality.

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“If you want to send pictures, video or intelligence to the task-force then you can do so by using the ‘Tell Us Something’ page of our website. In an emergency, always ring 999.”

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