A scrambler rider trying to escape police led to them making five arrests and seizing six off road bikes.
At around 2pm, officers patrolling the Randles Road area of Knowsley Business Park saw a scrambler bike making off towards Gellings Road.
Pursuing the rider, officers came across a unit in the business park with a number of men nearby.
Officers found five males next to a shipping container containing scrambler bikes, two quad bikes and other electric bikes.
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After being unable to provide proof of ownership of the vehicles, five males, aged 17, 19, 21, 20 and 23, from Kirkby, Ormskirk and Liverpool were arrested on suspicion of theft of a motor vehicle and handling stolen goods.
They have all since been released under investigation whilst the force stolen vehicle team examine each of the seized vehicles.
Police said a knife was also recovered during their investigation.
The 20-year-old male was further arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply a Class B drug, after he was found to be in possession of a quantity of suspected cannabis by officers
Phil Mullally, community policing Chief Inspector, said: “Criminal and anti-social use of these off roads bikes is a blight on our communities across Merseyside. Such behaviour cannot and will not be tolerated on our streets and our response to this incident in Knowsley reflects how seriously we take this issue.
“Our communities are safer places every time of one of these bikes is seized. We will continue to take proactive action against those involved in the criminal use of scrambler bikes on our roads and public spaces and will do everything possible to locate and seize suspected stolen or nuisance bikes and arrest those who are putting the safety of others at risk.
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“Operation Brookdale is our ongoing commitment to eradicating the harm that the illegal and anti-social use of off-road bikes cause to the communities in Merseyside, and we will not stop until the problem is completely gone.
“Our best chance of removing this threat is always to know where bikes are being stored before they get out on the streets. If you know where bikes are being stored, either in homes, storage units or elsewhere, please come forward and we will act on all information provided.”
If you have any information about where suspected stolen bikes may be stored, you can pass information via the police's online reporting forms or anonymously via CrimeStoppers.
