Off-road bikers tracked down after police helicopter chase

Police said they have seized a total of 38 vehicles in Wigan since June

A group of nuisance off-road bikers led officers on a chase after they tried to flee a police helicopter, narrowly avoiding pedestrians during the pursuit.

The group were spotted riding erratically along a canal towpath in Wigan "just managing to avoid members of the public", Greater Manchester Police said.

A police "stinger" was eventually deployed to stop one of the bikes, before the rider was picked up by one of the other bikes.

The National Police Air Service continued to track the riders who went to a remote location before officers managed to arrest a man and seize three bikes.

One of the bikes recently seized by police in the area

The suspect was later bailed following the pursuit last weekend.

Sgt Dan Canavan said anti-social behaviour on motorbikes, e-bikes and quadbikes had caused concern for many residents.

“While some people may use off-road bikes in the way they were intended, others use them to ruin parks, playing fields and flagrantly violate traffic laws,” he added.

Police in the area have seized eight bikes and two quadbikes in the past two weeks, with two of the bikes and one of the quadbikes later being confirmed as stolen, the force said.

Since a Wigan police operation started in June, officers have seized a total of 38 vehicles and made 11 arrests.