Police in Edinburgh have arrested and charged 14 people throughout July as part of an operation to crackdown on motorcycle crime and misuse across the city.

Officers from the Divisional Violence Reduction Unit, who are supported by Edinburgh City Council, have used decoy motorcycles placed in several locations to identify suspects. These are monitored and action is taken by the officers when attempts are made to steal the motorbikes. Six youths have been arrested and charged during these deployments.

Uniformed evidence gathering teams with high definition cameras have also been deployed across the city to deter offenders and record evidence of misuse.

Edinburgh’s dedicated vehicle crime team have also identified a further 8 men during the month for other vehicle crime committed across the city.

Those arrested have been charged with a number of offences and reported to the Procurator Fiscal or Children’s Reporter.

Edinburgh Division Superintendent Richard Horan said: “Over the past few years our community engagement surveys have consistently highlighted the public’s concern regarding vehicle crime and associated anti-social behaviour with motorcycles in particular. Our dedicated vehicle crime team, supported by initiatives such as this, are having an effect in preventing and detecting vehicle crime.

“I’d encourage the public to help us make our streets and public spaces safer by reporting sightings of motorcycle misuse or abandoned motorcycles,. This can be done anonymously using Crime stoppers on 0800 555 111, or directly through us on 101.”