A teenage dirt bike rider who taunted police on their social media pages while “causing havoc” in Whangārei has ended up in youth custody, police say.
Prior to being caught, the 14-year-old allegedly posted “catch me if ya can” to police social media pages.
Northland road policing manager John Fagan said the youth ended up in custody and had his bike taken off his hands.
“This is one of several results as police crackdown on unsafe and illegal dirt bike riding activity across Northland’s communities.
“Police share the frustrations expressed by many in the community with dangerous activity on public roads and public spaces,” said Fagan.
In many cases, this activity involved young people boasting about their offending by putting footage online for clout, Fagan added.
“What they don’t realise is that they are committing offences which put themselves and other people at serious risk.”
Recently, members of the Whangārei Youth Crime Unit executed a search warrant at a Maunu property.
The 14-year-old was then located as part of inquiries into an earlier incident where his bike allegedly failed to stop for police.
Bikes stopped in Far North
Meanwhile, in the Far North, police took dirt bikes off the road in Kaitāia after numerous driving complaints in recent weeks.
Fagan said patrolling staff came across two bikes being driven recklessly, and it turned out it was bikes of interest to police.
Both bikes ended up being stopped, and police said inquiries established the riders had both been previously forbidden from operating a vehicle.
A tow truck was then called and both bikes were impounded off the road.
“Concerningly, both riders were young people and they had been carrying a child with them at the time.
“It’s fortunate that none of those young people were injured as a result of reckless behaviour.
“These bikes are not toys and have the ability to cause harm and damage to both people and property.”
Northland police encouraged the community to report instances of dangerous driving.
This included bike and rider descriptions, or what addresses people are travelling from.
Reports can be made online, by phoning police, or provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers.
