E-bikes seized and four arrested as part of operation in city centre
Police in Exeter have been targeting e-bikes being used dangerously or illegally in the city as part of a crackdown on organised crime.
On Saturday 10 May, Officers from Devon & Cornwall Police carried out a Project Servator deployment, targeting illegally modified e-bikes in Exeter.
Project Servator is a national policing tactic that sees officers take unpredictable action and aims to disrupt criminal activity, reassure the public, and encourages the reporting of anything suspicious or unusual.
The proactive, multi-agency operation focused on those using e-bikes for criminality or considered to not be safe or roadworthy, as well as identifying and safeguarding individuals who may be at risk of exploitation as part of serious and organised crime.
Since 1 January 2023, Devon & Cornwall Police have seized 136 e-bikes and 218 e-scooters which have been illegally modified, ridden without insurance, involved in a serious collision or have been used in crime. 56 of the e-bikes and 84 of the e-scooters were seized in and around Exeter.
During the operation, riders were stopped and spoken to by the neighbourhood policing team, who checked the legality and speed capabilities of e-bikes and e-scooters. This led to eight e-bikes and two e-scooters being seized as a result of illegal modifications and/or being used without insurance.
Officers also dispersed three people as part of a public space protection order, seized drugs from one person and made four arrests. Charges included immigration offences, handling stolen goods, being drunk and disorderly and assaulting an emergency worker.
Exeter Sergeant Andrew Walton said: “Over the weekend, we carried out Project Servator - a proactive operation that uses nationally recognised and unpredictable tactics to tackle criminality.
“Specially trained officers were supported by policing teams to carry out highly visibility patrols in Exeter, which create a difficult environment for criminals to operate in.
“Roads in Exeter city centre can get very busy, especially during summer months, and we know that modified e-bikes often travel at excessive speeds which put pedestrians and other road users at risk.
“We also know from intelligence and previous operations that there is a link between e-bike use and organised criminality.
“Residents can expect to continue to see police presence in the city and the neighbourhood policing team will continue to use a variety of tactics to keep Exeter safe.”
If you see something suspicious, report it to Devon & Cornwall Police by calling 101 or using the online form on the force website.
To keep up to date with the latest policing news in Exeter, follow the neighbourhood team on Facebook: www.facebook.com/ExeterPolice
Image gallery:
select image to see larger version