Northamptonshire Police caught suspected sex offender 10 minutes into policing operation

Northamptonshire Police out on off-road bikes from Weston Favell and Mereway were on patrol in the Goldings area of Northampton yesterday (November 14) for only a matter of minutes when they spotted a suspect, who was wanted for rape, vehicle crime and a recall to prison.

This happened just 10 minutes into ‘Operation Neutrino’, which saw Northamptonshire Police on patrol over the weekend to combat motorcycle nuisance across the Daventry District.

Operation Neutrino tweeted: “Only 10 minutes out and Police bikers saw a suspect who had been wanted for several months. He tried to run off through the Goldings estate but our bikes enabled us to catch and arrest them for serious sex offences, vehicle crime and recall to prison.”

Operation Neutrino is a response - from Northamptonshire Police - to concerns raised by local communities about off-road bike nuisance.

Chief Inspector Rachael Handford said; “I am so proud of the work of my Neighbourhood teams, focused on keeping our communities safe.

“On this occasion Sgt Lee Flavell led a team of PC and PCSO patrol riders targeting motorcycle nuisance and providing a reassuring police presence for our communities. Using their local knowledge they spotted this wanted male and quickly detained him after a failed attempt by him to outrun the bikes.

“The versatility of our off-road bikes led by the Neighbourhood Teams and the local knowledge they have enable us to effectively patrol off the beaten track; this goes to show the benefit of a diverse vehicle fleet.”

Officers will remain on bike patrol for the rest of this weekend.