Police have seized multiple vehicles as part of an investigation into unruly dirt bike riders who caused traffic chaos during a recent group ride through east Auckland.
The riders were seen travelling along Botany Road in Botany on Anzac Day, April 25.
Some were performing wheelies, riding on the bike’s back wheel with the front wheel off the ground, and at least one was seen standing on the bike’s seat.
Most of the riders were hot wearing helmets, as legally required.
Members of the public reported the riders weaving in and out of traffic and riding in a dangerous manner as they travelled through Pakuranga to Botany.
Counties Manukau East Police relieving area commander, Inspector Rakana Cook, says officers continue to investigate the dirt bike riders, who he says were driving dangerously, and are making progress in “identifying those involved and holding them to account”.
He says police recently executed three search warrants in Pakuranga, Otara and Takanini, where three vehicles of interest were located and seized.
“These vehicles were seen driving in a dangerous manner alongside the dirt bikes on April 25,” Cook says.
“The registered owners of these vehicles have been identified and were served a notice under the Land Transport Act to provide details of the driver at the time.
“Those enquiries remain ongoing and will be followed up to ensure we hold those persons driving to account.”
Cook says police are pleased with the progress being made over the incident.
Additional search warrants and enquiries are likely and a dedicated team continues to gather evidence through CCTV and witness statements, he says.
“It’s incredibly frustrating for police when riders have absolutely no regard for the safety of others and their behaviour is putting lives at risk.
“This is not a new issue and police have been carrying out enforcement work to target this behaviour, but it is complex and not something police can solve alone.”
Cook says members of the public who encounter dirk bike riders should focus on keeping themselves safe and phone police if it is safe to do so.
People with further information relating to dirt bike riders illegally on the roads are asked to help police by phoning 111 if the incident is happening at the time or 105 afterwards.
