More than 130 motorcycles recovered in Edinburgh under Operation Soteria

Edinburgh Division ‘remains committed to tackling the theft and reckless use of motorcycles’

Operation Soteria, the capital’s well-established city wide initiative, resulted in 36 arrests, 185 charges for a variety of offences, and the recovery of 131 motorcycles, with a total value of more than £600,000.

Whilst this intensification period has recently concluded, locally based initiative teams, response, community and CID officers continue their efforts to identify offenders, prevent and deter further incidents, and provide community reassurance.

Superintendent Sam Ainslie said: “We are aware of the negative impact and understandable community concerns resulting from the anti-social and reckless use of off-road motorcycles across the city.

“This behaviour will not be tolerated, and we have and will continue to work with colleagues, including Road Policing, to proactively prevent and address these concerns.

“Road safety remains a priority for Edinburgh Division, and notwithstanding the risk these reckless individuals pose to their own safety, their behaviours also cause significant risk to pedestrians and other road users.

“While Operation Soteria has now concluded for this year, officers across Edinburgh remain committed to tackling and reducing motorcycle related crime and will continue to work to ensure offenders are dealt with robustly.

“To allow us to target our activities, I would encourage communities to report incidents via 101, and should anyone have information as to the identity of those placing communities at risk, this can be provided anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

Superintendent Ainslie added: “In addition to enforcement, a key element of our work involves crime prevention, education and community engagement and reassurance.

“We understand the impact on the both the biker and wider community, and we have and will continue to work with them.

“As an example, we have been working with a range of partners across our established networks, including the tourism sector, both locally and across Europe, raising awareness and discussing security and prevention opportunities”