Police are vowing to crack down on dirt bike riders who flout the law and disrupt traffic over the King’s Birthday holiday long weekend.
Counties Manukau Police senior sergeant Anton Maisey says officers will be visible to “prevent and disrupt illegal dirt bike riding activities, particularly in the South Auckland area”.
“On Sunday and Monday, staff assigned to Operation Metallic Red will be deployed across the district, with a focus on targeting dangerous and nuisance driving and the riding of dirt bikes.
“Operation Metallic Red is an all-of-district approach to prevent and disrupt this type of offending.”
Maisey says a team of operational staff from across Auckland, with assistance from the police’s Eagle helicopter, will be visible and monitoring any gatherings involving dirt bike riders.
Police are working to prevent them growing into larger gatherings, in which people have seen some of the reckless behaviour emerging in the past.
“Police and the wider community have zero tolerance for this dangerous driving that puts other motorists and members of the public at risk,” he says.
“These riders show a complete disregard for others.”
Maisey reassures the community that police don’t tolerate offending on the roads and will continue to monitor group bike rides.
“Any offending will be investigated and follow-up action taken.
“Police have held riders to account in the past and we will continue to utilise all available avenues around enforcement.”
That could include impounding vehicles, infringements, or arrests for any driving offences.
Police ask anyone who sees dangerous or nuisance driving as it is occurring to phone 111.
Alternatively, people who have information which may assist police can phone the 105 phone service, or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
