Dirt bikes impounded, 130 arrests made

Auckland streetsmight be a little quieter after police arrested or charged more than 130 people as part of a year-long operation targeting dirt bike riders and illegal street racers. Over the past year, CountiesManukau police have seized 59 dirt bikes and 39 other vehicles as part of Operation Whakatika. Many people have become frustrated over the constant noise and ‘‘brazen antics’’ of the riders and street racers, said CountiesManukau district prevention manager Inspector Jared Pirret. He said while police often couldn’t intervene immediately because of the dangers it posed to road users, they followed up to find and prosecute riders. The operation came in thewake of a rise in illegal dirt bikes on the roads, including an incident early last year when close to 100 riders were filmed popping wheelies and racing on Auckland’smotorways. The motorbike riders flooded streets around Auckland onWaitangi Day in 2021, where they were seen running red lights and driving illegally.