Police have launched an investigation to identify those involved in a motorbike ‘ride out’ across Leeds – including Kirkstall Road.
From about 5.30pm groups of motorcycles and quad bikes congregating around Seacroft, Kirkstall Road and Roundhay Park before riding in and around the city centre, with about 40 to 50 vehicles involved at its peak.
Members of the public reported being alarmed by the riders, a number of whom were wearing balaclavas and mounted pavements and ignored traffic signs.
Some were riding without lights and had no number plates. There were also reports of cars being damaged by bikes squeezing past them in traffic.
Police say those involved appeared to have come from the Seacroft, Halton Moor, Harehills, Bramley and Armley areas.
The incident is similar to the 2016 Halloween ride-out, which involved over 100 youths who congregated in Kirkstall Road before riding into the city centre. Thirteen people were jailed at a later court hearing.
Leedswatch CCTV cameras and police drones were also used to capture footage that will now be subject to detailed analysis as part of the investigation.
The numbers involved eventually reduced with incidents concluding by about 9.30pm.
Superintentent Jackie Marsh, of the city’s community safety partnership Safer Leeds, said:
“The dangerous and anti-social behaviour of those who took part in these incidents last night was completely unacceptable and put people’s safety at risk and unnecessarily caused fear to members of the public.
“We simply will not allow activity like this that impacts on people’s lives to go unchallenged and will be taking robust action against those we identify as being involved.
“Detectives will now be comprehensively reviewing all the available evidence, including CCTV, officers’ body-worn video and police drone footage, as we work to identify suspects and arrest them and seize their vehicles.
“Our investigation into a similar but much larger event in Leeds in 2016 resulted in thirteen people receiving prison sentences totalling almost fifteen years for causing a public nuisance.
“That should provide a very stark reminder to others of the potential penalties they can face if they choose to involve themselves in incidents like this.”
Anyone with any information or phone or dashcam footage is asked to contact Leeds District CID via 101 quoting log number 324 of October 31 or call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
