Police release video of arrest in Nerang during Operation ATARAXIA, targeting youths on dirt bikes, e-bikes and e-scooters
Videos released by police show the moment officers chase down teens and seize several motorbikes in an operation targeting ‘anti-social’ youth behaviour.
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Videos released by police show the moment officers chase down teens and seize several motorbikes in an operation targeting ‘anti-social’ youth behaviour.
A Gold Coast police spokesperson said they began Operation ATARAXIA in February in Nerang, focusing on teens on trail bikes, e-bikes and e-scooters.
Supplied footage shows police confronting four teens who were riding dirt bikes in a local park.
Police tracked two of the boys to a nearby street before one of them attempted to flee the scene on foot.
Two officers chased after him, arrested him and seized a bike.
In February, Nerang officers “employed various investigative techniques to identify suspects”, focusing on specific makes, models, features, helmets and clothing.
Acting senior sergeant Lynton Bradbury warned teens who were thinking of participating in anti-social activity that they should “expect police action soon”.
“Proactive measures have been crucial in our approach,” he said.
“We have been informing parents about the legality of riding motorcycles and e-bikes on roadways, notifying school staff about arrests (without naming individuals) and communicating the legalities of riding e-bikes during school assemblies.”
In the four months since the operation began police have arrested 10 juveniles, laid 42 charges and seized six bikes.
The charges include: 10 counts of unlicensed riding, 10 counts of unregistered riding, 10 counts of uninsured riding, three counts of common assault, one count of serious assault, four counts of unlawful driving of a motorbike on public land, one count of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle (90 immobilisations), one count of riding a motorbike with more passengers than designed to carry, one count of following too closely and one count of drug possession (utensil).
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