Police helicopters were seen circling Bristol after reports of a spate of motorbike thefts across the city – including a stolen Blood Bike used by an emergency volunteer charity.
Avon and Somerset Police were initially called at 9.50am on Saturday morning with a report of a black and red BMW S1000R bike that had been stolen from Museum Street in Wapping Wharf, and has not yet been located.
And just a short time after, at 10.05am, a member of the public contacted police to report a motorbike that had been abandoned in Victoria Park, with two people seen making off on a moped.
Officers attended, and found it to be a Yamaha used by the Freewheelers Emergency Voluntary Blood Bike Service, which has now been recovered by the charity.
At about the same time police say two people were reported behaving suspiciously on a motorbike in Lower Cadbury Street. Officers attended, and with the support of the National Police Air Service helicopter, found the motorbike now with just one rider, and successfully stopped it on Sturminster Road.
A boy in his mid-teens was arrested at the scene on suspicion of theft of a vehicle, dangerous driving, and failing to stop for police. He remains in police custody. The Honda PCX 125cc motorbike had been stolen from St Annes on Wednesday evening, November 27, and has been seized by police.
Avon and Somerset Police have now thanked the members of the public who called to report the incidents, as well as directing officers trying to locate the suspects. The investigations continue. If you saw any of the incidents, or have dashcam or other footage which could help, please call 101 and quote the reference 5224314713.