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Road traffic collision with
scrambler bike leads to an appeal for help
MERSEYSIDE Police have confirmed that
an investigation is continuing following a road traffic collision in Aintree, on
Sunday, 23 October 2016. We are informed that Police Officers spotted a
scrambler bike which was speeding along Queens Drive towards the City, the rider
of the bike, who was not wearing a helmet, was also observed by the Police
Helicopter doing wheelies on the road and going through a number of red traffic
lights. The bike, which was being monitored by the Police Helicopter, was seen
being driven at speed in the Anfield, Everton, Walton, Tuebrook, Norris Green
areas and at one point was observed driving against traffic on the wrong side of
the East Lancashire Road (towards the City) before heading towards Warbreck
Moor. As the bike travelled along Ormskirk Road, it went through the traffic
lights, at the junction of Park Lane and mounted the pavement where it collided
with 2 men who were walking along the pavement. 1 of the men, who was 56 years
old, suffered a cut to the head and was taken to Hospital where he is being
treated for the injury, which is not believed to be serious. The 2nd pedestrian,
who was a 54 year old declined medical treatment. The rider of the bike, a 24
year old man from Anfield, is believed to have suffered a fractured skull and he
was taken to Hospital, where he is currently being treated. Officers who were in
a Patrol Car travelling out of the City, on Ormskirk Road, when the incident
occurred on the opposite side of the carriageway, provided 1st aid at the scene.
Assistant Chief Constable Nikki Holland, said:- "Our inquiries into this
incident are at an early stage but we believe the scrambler bike was being
ridden in a dangerous and anti social way on major roads around the City prior
to the collision. It is through sheer luck that neither of the pedestrians who
were hit by the bike, was seriously injured. It is only a matter of time before
someone is killed as a result of this type of behaviour. Recently we have seen
an increase in the dangerous and anti social use of scrambler bikes on our roads
and this is putting other road users and pedestrians at risk. These people have
no regard for anyone, but themselves and don’t care about the risk they pose to
others. I would like to appeal to anyone who saw the bike, particularly any
drivers on the East Lancashire Road at about 4.40pm who saw the bike being
driven against the traffic to come forward. The rider of the bike was wearing a
camouflage jacket, a scarf covering his face and no helmet, if you saw this bike
being driven in anti social manner, between 4.15pm and 4.45pm please come
forward. In the coming days, weeks and months, we will
continue to take pro-active action against those involved in the criminal use of
scrambler bikes on our roads. We will do everything possible to locate and seize
suspected stolen or nuisance bikes and arrest those who are putting the safety
of others at risk. Since the beginning of October 2016:- 35 bikes have been
seized, 19 search warrants executed and 16 people have been arrested as part of
Operation Brookdale. I would like to take this opportunity to reassure
communities across Merseyside that we understand their concerns about scrambler
bikes and will be relentless in our efforts to tackle them. Such behaviour
cannot and will not be tolerated on the streets of Merseyside and our response
reflects how seriously we take this issue. The continued action is thanks to
information from our community. I would urge anyone with information which could
help us take these bikes out of circulation and make our streets safer to keep
coming forward.”
Anyone with information on who is using these
bikes and where they are being stored is urged to call:- 101 or Crimestoppers
anonymously on:- 0800 555 111.
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