Two men arrested following police pursuit of suspected stolen motorcycles
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Two men have been arrested following a coordinated police response after an off-duty officer reported two motorcycles being ridden dangerously in the Eastbourne area.
At around 11.40pm on Wednesday, 3 June, the off-duty officer spotted the motorcycles in the Shinewater area and alerted colleagues after observing them being ridden in a dangerous manner. One of the motorcycles was reportedly displaying no registration plate, and the riders were believed to be carrying fuel canisters. Given ongoing issues involving stolen motorcycles in the area, officers swiftly launched a search.
The motorcycles were located on Willingdon Drove, where officers attempted to stop them. The riders failed to stop and made off through Eastbourne, prompting a coordinated response involving local policing teams, operational support units and the National Police Air Service (NPAS).
Although the motorcycles were initially lost after being ridden along routes inaccessible to police vehicles, officers quickly established a containment area. With support from NPAS, the motorcycles were later located near Robin Post Lane, outside Hailsham.
Officers carried out a search of nearby woodland, with NPAS directing units on the ground. Both suspects were swiftly detained.
During subsequent searches, officers recovered discarded helmets and tools believed to have been used in the theft of motorcycles, including a hammer and two screwdrivers.
A 20-year-old man from Hailsham was arrested on suspicion of driving a motorcycle dangerously and going equipped for theft and a 19-year-old man from Eastbourne were arrested on suspicion of failing to stop a MPV when requested by police and going equipped for theft, both remain in custody while enquiries continue.
Eastbourne District Commander, Chief Inspector Kara Tombling, said “The arrests were made possible through the coordinated efforts of an off-duty officer, response teams, operational support units and NPAS, demonstrating the effectiveness of teamwork across policing teams in tackling vehicle crime and keeping communities safe”.