Police hope to extend Operation Needle next year

No motorbikes reported stolen over TT period

No motorbikes were reported stolen by visitors travelling to the Isle of Man via Liverpool during TT.

Merseyside Police say around 7,000 motorcyclists travelled to Liverpool city centre before travelling by boat to the Island.

Officers ran ‘Operation Needle’ for the second consecutive year as part of efforts to identify, disrupt and find those involved in the theft of bikes.

Sergeant Craig Winstanley said: "It is great news that no motorcycles were reported stolen in Liverpool city centre for the second year running under Operation Needle.

"It is the right result for all the hard work the team put in to making sure motorcyclists visiting the city, and motorcyclists who also live or work here, felt safe and were supported by our officers with advice and equipment to help secure their motorcycles.

"I would like to say thank you to all our partners – Liverpool BID, National Vehicle Crime Reduction Partnership, Motorcycle Action Group Foundation, Liverpool City Council, Liverpool Ports Police, Safer Group, SelectaDNA and all the local hotels who supported us.

"This partnership approach enabled us to use funding to successfully implement crime prevention measures including Safer Pods which housed CCTV systems, throttle locks, bike chains and SelectaDNA marking kits which all helped in the rollout and co-ordination of the operation."

Officers worked closely with Lancashire Police and the port of Heysham to share information and intelligence to target criminals operating between the ports.

Visitors were also given the use of free chains, locks and DNA marking kits between 25 May and 6 June.

Michelle Nichols, spokesperson for the National Vehicle Crime Reduction Partnership, said: "The result achieved through Operation Needle is something everyone involved should be proud of.

"Welcoming thousands of motorcyclists through Liverpool during one of the busiest periods of the year and recording no motorcycle thefts in the city centre for a second consecutive year is a fantastic outcome.

"This is exactly the sort of proactive initiative the NVCRP is looking to support and fund.

"It demonstrates what can be achieved through effective partnership working, visible policing and practical crime prevention measures that helped protect riders throughout their journey."

It’s hoped next year that Operation Needle will be extended to areas outside the city centre.