Operation Scrambler
Motorbike riders who are bringing misery to their communities have been warned they could face serious repercussions – with plain-clothed officers on the lookout for offenders.
Operation Scrambler was launched this week after Councillor Scott Dickinson stepped in to support Northumbria Police with the funding to purchase the DNA spray technology.
The ground-breaking DNA spray which has proved successful in South Shields, Gateshead and Newcastle which enables officers to tag offenders.
Cops will carry canisters containing an invisible water-based UV solution which can spray riders' skin, clothes or bikes with a uniquely-coded dye.
Similar operations in Blyth have already seen a number of motorcycles seized and riders identified – but officers are not resting on their laurels and are keen to maintain the momentum which we will see progress in the Druridge Bay Communities covered by Councillor Dickinson.
PCSO Susan McCallum said: 'We were delighted that Councillor Dickinson was keen to help following the successes seen in other areas of Northumberland. We are keen to work together to ensure that we do everything we can to tackle the misery this type of behaviour is causing communities.
We will be working alongside neighbourhood teams across the Force to tackle this type of crime and target patrols where they find patterns of criminality.
If you want to send pictures, video or intelligence to the task-force then you can do so by using the 'Tell Us Something' page of our website. In an emergency, always ring 999'.
Councillor Scott Dickinson County Councillor for Druridge Bay said: 'I was happy to support this scheme, residents contact me on a regular basis, working in partnership with Northumbria Police I am determined that estates in Widdrington and Hadston will not be plagued by this type of behaviour which causes misery to people in our community.
Local residents know I always take action based on their interests and this type of scheme has proven benefits elsewhere in Northumberland and will do here too'.
