Officers from Greater Manchester Police seized seven motorised bikes and arrested two people in Brinnington, Greater Manchester, over the weekend of 21-22 March 2026. This targeted action is part of a specialist task force called Operation Vulcan, which has been working in the area since mid-February 2026 to tackle illegal bike riding and anti-social behaviour.
During the enforcement weekend, police arrested an 18-year-old on suspicion of dangerous driving, driving without insurance, and driving while disqualified. A 16-year-old boy was also taken into custody on suspicion of driving while disqualified and having no insurance, after a Greater Manchester Police drone unit spotted the suspects from the air.
Inspector Dan Cullum stated that community members have identified illegal bike use as one of the biggest issues affecting the neighbourhood, and the team has been acting directly on these concerns. This work builds on a previous operation in November 2025, which saw 21 arrests and the recovery of £500,000 in cash and £200,000 worth of heroin in the area.
The government has promised to invest £20 million in Brinnington over the next ten years through its Pride in Place programme to help regenerate the suburb. Detective Chief Inspector Christian Julien explained that police are working to clear out criminality and anti-social behaviour so that this investment can be used effectively to improve the lives of local residents.
The specialist team has previously carried out similar successful work in areas like Cheetham Hill and Piccadilly Gardens since launching in 2022. To help catch nuisance riders, the force also uses a dedicated Motorbike Unit that was established in June 2025 to monitor hotspots across the region.
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