Operation Dragster

GMP are continuing regular Operation Dragsters to try to reduce the amount of illegal Off road 4x4 and Bikers that is occuring on the Moors around Rochdale. It is apparent that the offenders are not just local people but come from all over the country (Edinburgh, Liverpool, Nottingham and the latest came from Elmsmere Port).

The off road activity on the moors is destroying our valuable peat moorland, producing ruts that cause ramblers and other legitimate moors users injury (Rossendale Mountain Rescue and the North West Air Ambulance have been seeing an increase in broken ankles and other injuries as a direct result of the deep ruts which the bikers are causing)

The Operation on the 8th March 2026 resulted in the following

Rochdale North and East Team 2 deployed on the Moorland Hot Spot areas along with support from community volunteers out spotting.  Log 722 080326

• 11:15 am – PCSOs Taylor, Robinson and Haider spotted a group of 6 Surron’s trying to enter the Moorland at Owd Betts. They managed to grab one of the bikes, the rider ran off but later returned - Surron Bike seized No Insurance - Rider had travelled from Ellesmere Port.
  
  

• 11:45 – Two off the bikes which made off spotted at top of Knowl Hill, PC Coulson detained one rider as they tried to come back off the Moorland - Surron Bike seized No insurance  – Also had a very small amount of cannabis in his possession, was given a community resolution for this. This rider had also travelled from Ellesmere Port.
  
  

•  The bikes are probably worth around £5000 each and they wont be getting them back as they won’t be able to make them road legal!

• Sgt Phillips, PC Richards & PC Dickinson- Moore responded to reports from one of the community volunteers to reports  of off road bikes being unloaded from a van at Woodhouse Lane one bike seized Sec 59
  
  

• PCSO Taylor, Robinson & Haider recovered a stolen 73 plate Mercedes A Class car from Parkway, Greave
  
  

• 3 x Bikes seized in total
  
  

• 3 x PSPO fines to be issued to the riders of the bikes seized as well as CPW’s
  
  

• 3 x Vehicle Stops Submitted
  
  

• 4 x Stop Searches carried out – 1 x Positive
  
  

• 1 x TOR for damaged tyre
  
  

• Attended several abandoned vehicle  incidents