Man arrested in crackdown on masked bike gangs

Police stopped a rider of a suspected stolen moped

A man has been arrested as part of a police crackdown on masked bike gangs causing anti-social behaviour and stealing vehicles.

Officers followed a moped being ridden by two people wearing balaclavas on Clarence Road, Stoke-on-Trent, on Thursday, and the rider was stopped after a foot chase, Staffordshire Police said.

The moped was believed to have been stolen from the Middleport area, the force said, and an angle-grinder was found under the seat.

An 18-year-old man from Stoke-on-Trent was arrested on suspicion of theft of a motor vehicle, going equipped for theft of a motor vehicle and driving without a licence and insurance.

It came after Staffordshire Police received reports of incidents of theft and anti-social behaviour in the city, involving suspects described as white men with balaclavas, dark tracksuits and riding Sur-Ron electric bikes.

They were spotted on Parliament Row in Hanley at about 21:00 BST on Friday after robbing a driver of his food delivery, police said.

They were also seen trying to steal a motorbike on nearby Cheapside before fleeing, while a motorbike was also reported stolen.

A police spokesperson said officers were reviewing CCTV footage and were urging anyone with information to get in touch.

Insp Rebecca Price said: "We will continue to do all we can to disrupt those who blight our communities with this criminality."