Properties raided and suspects arrested as Doncaster policing operation targets vehicle crime and anti-social behaviour

An intensive operation is underway in Doncaster as part of a continued crackdown on vehicle crime and associated anti-social behaviour.

Following briefings earlier this morning, officers have carried out a series of warrants and arrest attempts to target those suspected of being involved in the theft of motorbikes, cars and vans and the illegal riding of off-road bikes.

It forms part of our continued efforts in Doncaster to crackdown on this type of criminality under Operation Spoke Alpha, which was brought in last year.

Since that operation's launch, the city has seen a 53 per cent reduction in the number of motorbike thefts.

Doncaster Neighbourhoods Chief Inspector Joe Hunt said:

“Today’s Operation Duxford supports Operation Spoke Alpha and the hard work carried out every day by officers and staff in Doncaster tackling vehicle crime and anti-social behaviour.

“Vehicle crime has a huge impact on our local communities. As well as the devastating impact on victims of theft, the associated anti-social behaviour, which often includes off-road bikes being ridden illegally and dangerously, is unacceptable.

“We will not tolerate it and that’s why Operation Spoke Alpha was set up and following a huge amount of intelligence gathering, it has delivered some noticeable results and triggered a significant reduction in the number of motorbike thefts in Doncaster.

“We are continuing to gather more and more intelligence on offenders and their patterns of behaviour, and today’s enforcement activities are a direct result of this.

“You are not untouchable and regardless of your age, we will use the powers available to us to deal with you appropriately and keep our communities safe.”

Warrants have been executed at properties and premises in Doncaster today, with officers from our Motorcycle and Rural Crime Team carrying out traffic operations to target improper and illegal use of off-road bikes.

So far, we have arrested eight people on suspicion of a variety of offences, including theft of a motor vehicle and possession with intent to supply Class A drugs, with warrants resulting in the seizure of over 10 vehicles all suspected of being stolen.

Speedwatch operations will also take place, with our safety camera van monitoring speeding at locations across Doncaster.

Officers will be maintaining a visible presence as part of today’s operation, with pop-up police stalls at hotspots for vehicle crime and off-road bikes and a series of high visibility patrols also taking place.

We will be posting more content in relation to today’s Operation Duxford on our channels over the course of this week.