
A teenager has been convicted after being caught riding a stolen motorcycle in Lancaster.
In November 2024, two motorcycles were stolen from a home address in Lancaster.
On January 6, a Neighbourhood Police officer, whilst on foot patrol in the Marsh area saw two youths riding an off-road scrambler motorcycle towards her. The officer managed to stop the motorcycle and identified the rider.
The motorcycle was then identified as being stolen from the address in Lancaster in November and was returned to the owner.
The rider, a 16 year old male from Lancaster, pleaded guilty to handling stolen goods and traffic offences.
The teenager, who can’t be named due to his age, was referred to Lancashire Youth Offender Panel for eight months, ordered to pay £26 as a victim surcharge and given six penalty points onto his driving licence.
PC Shaun Foster from Lancaster Police, urged owners of motorcycles to be as vigilant as possible, and take proactive steps to keep their property secure from thieves.
‘’There have been a number of motorcycle thefts in the Lancaster over the last year,’’ he said.
‘’The majority of those stolen are off road scrambler types, 125ccs and on occasion larger road bikes. Unfortunately due to the nature of motorcycles they can be stolen very easily and very quickly, with manufacturer steering locks an insufficient deterrent.
‘’There are things you can do to try to make your motorcycle less attractive to thieves with many security devices available to purchase. The best deterrent is a brick locked garage but for those for don’t have a garage, or for when you are leaving your bike on the street, disc locks, alarms, chains and covers help and in the unfortunate event it is stolen a tracker is the best way to help the bike be returned.
‘’These youths, not only put their own lives in danger but also risk other road users and pedestrians. If you have any information about anyone who is involved in riding off road motorcycles illegally or those involved in the theft of these vehicles, please get in touch.’’