Key Points
- A weekend ‘Operation Gears’ was undertaken by Merseyside Police that sought out individuals who committed crime on bicycles or two wheeled vehicles.
- The operation made 11 arrests, as per Merseyside Police.
- Vehicles were also confiscated along with the seizure of some drugs during the operation conducted on the weekend.
- Operation Gears is a campaign run by Merseyside Police for the illegal or criminal use of e-bikes, e-scooters, electric motorcycles and other two wheeled vehicles.
Liverpool Police (Liverpool standard) October 12, 2026 — Merseyside Police has confirmed that a weekend Operation Gears crackdown led to 11 arrests, vehicle seizures and the recovery of drugs across the force area.
As reported by Merseyside Police, the weekend operation targeted people using bikes and other two-wheeled vehicles to commit crime. The force said the action formed part of its continuing Operation Gears campaign, which focuses on illegal vehicle use, dangerous riding, anti-social behaviour and associated criminality.
What did Merseyside Police do during the crackdown?
Merseyside Police said officers carried out targeted activity throughout the weekend under Operation Gears. The force stated that the crackdown resulted in 11 arrests, as well as the seizure of vehicles and the recovery of drugs.
The police force did not provide further public details in the available announcement about the ages, home areas or alleged offences of those arrested. It also did not specify the number or type of vehicles seized, the quantity or class of drugs recovered, or the exact locations of every arrest.
Merseyside Police described the operation as a weekend crackdown aimed at people using bikes and other two-wheeled vehicles to commit crime. The force published the update in its October 2026 news section.
Why were bikes and two-wheeled vehicles targeted?
Operation Gears is Merseyside Police’s ongoing campaign against criminality involving two-wheeled vehicles. According to the force, the operation targets illegal e-bikes, e-scooters, electric motorcycles, off-road bikes and other vehicles used unlawfully on public roads.
Merseyside Police says Operation Gears involves seizing illegal vehicles, arresting offenders and increasing patrols in hotspot areas. The force launched the campaign to disrupt what it describes as a growing threat to community safety and to prevent further harm.
The force has previously said that such vehicles can be linked to serious crime, robbery, drug supply, theft and anti-social behaviour. Merseyside Police has also said that illegal riding remains a concern for many residents across the region.
What has Operation Gears achieved previously?
Merseyside Police has reported a series of arrests, seizures and disruptions under Operation Gears in recent months. In a September 2026 update, the force said officers on patrol in Liverpool and Sefton made four arrests and seized an e-bike, drugs, a machete and a knife.
In another Operation Gears action in North Liverpool, Merseyside Police reported arrests and seizures, including an arrest connected with suspected Class A and Class B drug supply offences. The force has also previously reported that more than 1,600 two-wheeled vehicles linked to criminality, dangerous riding or anti-social behaviour had been seized since Operation Gears began.
Those earlier figures were published by Merseyside Police and reported by local outlets including the Liverpool Echo and Wirral Globe. They provide context for the latest weekend operation, although the force’s latest announcement did not state whether the 11 arrests and vehicle seizures should be added to that wider total.
What did Merseyside Police say?
Merseyside Police’s published update said the weekend crackdown saw arrests, vehicle seizures and drugs recovered. The force identified the action as part of Operation Gears and said it targeted people using bikes and other two-wheeled vehicles to commit crime.
The announcement did not include a named officer quote in the material available for this report. Merseyside Police has previously described Operation Gears as a proactive campaign to seize illegal bikes, arrest offenders and increase patrols in key areas to disrupt criminals and protect communities.
Background of the development
Operation Gears was launched by Merseyside Police to tackle the illegal use of two-wheeled vehicles, including electric motorcycles, e-scooters and non-compliant electric bikes. The force says the campaign responds to concerns about vehicles being ridden dangerously, used anti-socially or connected with wider criminal activity.
Merseyside Police says the operation uses a range of tactics, including patrols, vehicle seizures, arrests and targeted action in areas affected by illegal riding. The force has previously reported seizing more than 500 illegal or unregistered vehicles in 2025 and more than 1,600 two-wheeled vehicles linked to criminality, dangerous riding or anti-social behaviour since the campaign began.
The latest weekend crackdown is part of that continuing approach. Merseyside Police says its aim is to remove vehicles used for crime, disrupt offenders and reduce the harm caused to local communities.
Prediction: How could this affect Merseyside residents?
For Merseyside residents, the latest Operation Gears action may lead to a more visible police presence in areas where illegal bike riding, vehicle crime or drug-related activity has been reported. The seizure of vehicles and recovery of drugs could reduce immediate opportunities for offenders to use those vehicles or substances in the community.
Residents may also see continued enforcement around e-bikes, e-scooters and off-road bikes, particularly in neighbourhoods where anti-social riding has been a recurring concern. If Merseyside Police maintains this level of activity, it could encourage greater compliance among riders and provide more reassurance to people affected by dangerous or illegal vehicle use.
However, the practical impact will depend on follow-up investigations, whether those arrested are charged, and whether seized vehicles are connected to wider criminal networks. The force’s published update confirms the enforcement outcome but does not yet provide details of charges, convictions or long-term crime trends.
