Four arrested as part of e-bike operation in Exeter

Police have been targeting e-bikes being used dangerously or illegally in the city as part of a continued crackdown on organised crime.

On Monday 30 June, officers from the Exeter Neighbourhood Policing team worked with the Roads Policing Unit, Immigration Officers, the Police Drone team and were supported by Police Dogs team to target illegally modified e-bikes in Exeter.

The proactive multi-agency operation focused on e-bikes being used for criminality, as well as identifying and safeguarding individuals who may be at risk of exploitation as part of serious and organised crime.  

Throughout the day, riders were stopped and spoken to by the neighbourhood policing team, who checked the legality and speed capabilities of e-bikes and e-scooters. This led to three e-bikes and three mopeds being seized as a result of illegal modifications and/or being used without a valid license or insurance.

During the operation, teams also seized class A and class B drugs from two people, identified an individual who was working in breach of immigration bail and arrested a driver found to be operating a vehicle while under the influence of drugs.

Exeter Sergeant Andrew Walton said: “Earlier this week, we carried out a proactive operation which saw teams working together to disrupt criminal activity while also identifying and supporting potential victims of exploitation.

“This is the second operation of this nature the team have taken part in, and, to date, we have made eight arrests.

“The response we’ve received from the public regarding our proactive work in the local community and tackling of illegal e-bike use in the city centre has been incredibly positive.

 “We know from intelligence and previous operations that e-bikes are sometimes used in organised criminality.

“Residents will continue to see a regular police presence in the city as we continue these operations over the coming months.”

If you see something suspicious, please report it to Devon & Cornwall Police by calling 101 or using the online form on the force website.

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