Teenager arrested after stealing blood bike

This emergency blood bike was stolen by the thieves and abandoned in a public park

A teenage boy has been arrested after three motorbikes, including an emergency blood bike, were stolen and taken for a joyride.

Avon and Somerset Police said two of the thefts occurred on Saturday morning in Bristol, while the other was stolen on Wednesday evening.

Two of the three motorbikes have since been recovered, including the vehicle belonging to the Freewheelers Emergency Voluntary Blood Bike Service, officers said.

The boy remains in custody while investigations continue. Police are also looking to identify another suspect who was seen fleeing the scene on a moped.

One of the motorbikes was stolen in broad daylight from Wapping Wharf

At about 09:50 GMT on Saturday, a red and black BMW S1000R, which has yet to be found, was stolen from Museum Street on Wapping Wharf.

Just after 10:05, a member of the public called police to report a motorbike being abandoned in Victoria Park, with two people seen fleeing the scene on a moped.

Officers attended and found it to be a Yamaha used by the Freewheelers charity, whose volunteers transport blood and other medical supplies in an emergency.

Police helicopter

About the same time, officers responded to reports of two people behaving suspiciously on a motorbike in the city centre.

With the support of the National Police Air Service helicopter, police located and stopped the motorbike on Sturminster Road, with now only one rider.

The boy, in his mid-teens, was taken into custody at the scene on suspicion of theft of a vehicle, dangerous driving and failing to stop for police.

The Honda PCX 125cc motorbike, which had been stolen from St Annes on Wednesday, was seized by officers.

Police have appealed for witnesses or anyone with dashcam footage which may assist with their inquiries to come forward.