Portsmouth crime hotspots targeted as 35 e-bikes and e-scooters seized and numerous drug related arrests made in day of action
Officers have clamped down on the illegal use of e-scooters and e-bikes at crime hotspots across Portsmouth today.
The city-wide operation on Tuesday, January 20, was undertaken in response to community concerns regarding the use of electric bikes and the associated criminality. Over 35 e-bikes and e-scooters were seized with proactive stop and searches leading to six people being arrested for offences ranging from drink driving to possession with intent to supply.
The full list of arrests can be found below:
- A 59-year-old man from Portsmouth on suspicion of drink driving.
- A 16-year-old boy from Portsmouth on suspicion of dangerous driving, failing to stop for police, driving otherwise in accordance with a licence and drug driving.
- A 28-year-old man from Southsea on suspicion of drug driving.
- A 25-year-old man from Portsmouth on suspicion of possession with intent to supply.
- An 18-year-old man from Southsea on suspicion of theft of a pedal cycle.
- A 15-year-old boy from Southsea on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon.
In addition to the arrests a number of tickets were handed out for road traffic offences including using a mobile phone while driving, driving without due care and attention, no insurance and not wearing a seatbelt.
The day of action co-ordinated by the Neighbourhood Enforcement Team and carried out by officers from the Roads Policing Unit, the Violent Crime Taskforce, Priority Crime Team and Neighbourhood Patrol Teams also saw a number of addresses searched.
During the property searches, two offensive weapons, a large quantity of suspected Class B drugs and several phones suspected to be linked to the supply of drugs were discovered and seized.
District Commander for Portsmouth, Superintendent Paul Markham said, “This co-ordinated operation has enabled us to utilise both force and neighbourhood resources to effectively take action on priority issues raised to us by our communities.
“By targeting high crime areas today, as identified through information gathered from sources such as reports from the public, we have removed weapons, drugs and illegal vehicles from the streets of Portsmouth.
“It is of high priority in Portsmouth that we make a concentrated effort to address the concerns and issues raised to us by our communities. We will continue our dedicated efforts to target areas of concern and repeat offenders, in order to ensure Portsmouth remains a hostile place for criminals and a safe and enjoyable City for all our communities.”