Police in North West England are restraining the use of scrambler bikes after a teenager was seen texting, speeding and popping wheelies through traffic.
According to Merseyside Police, helicopter footage caught the man running red lights and missing pedestrians by just a few feet as he rode the bike on the sidewalk. Officials arrested the teen, making him the 67th arrest in Operation Brookdale, a program designed to take off-road bikes from suspects who used them in the streets and in "an anti-social way."
Chief Inspector Jenny Sims released a statement on the teen's arrest.
"He subsequently pleaded guilty at Youth Court to dangerous driving, failing to stop for police, driving with no insurance or licence, and riding without a helmet," he said, "He was fined £100, given a nine month contract with the Knowsley Youth Offender Panel and disqualified from driving for 18 months until he has passed an extended test."
Sims hopes the teen's arrest will show the dangers of using the bikes on the streets.
"This sends a clear message that both Merseyside Police and the courts will not tolerate this type of behavior," he said. "It's only through sheer good luck that no-one was killed or seriously injured during this incident and I hope the footage makes people using scrambler bikes anti-socially think about their actions and the possible consequences."
Check out the helicopter footage above.
Source: Merseyside Police
