Blackpool teen banned from driving after hour-long electric motorcycle pursuit

A 17-year-old has pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and failing to stop after leading Blackpool Police on an hour-long motorcycle chase through busy pedestrian areas. 

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The boy, wearing a balaclava, fled from officers at around 13:30pm February 9, riding an off-road electric motorcycle. 

He received a 12-month driving ban and was referred to the Blackpool Youth Offender panel, also for 12-months, while the e-bike was confiscated. 

A police helicopter documented the chase, followed the teen as he rode through a busy park and on the wrong side of the road. 

The pursuit was brought to a stop after the force deployed ‘tactical contact’, removing the rider from his bike and leaving him sprawled on the floor- at which point an arrest was made. 

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Blackpool Police commented: “Not only did the rider cut across tramlines and paths, football pitches full of children, and Stanley Park on a busy Sunday afternoon, but he rode extremely dangerously, putting other road users, pedestrians, and himself at great risk. 

“We have had fatal collisions and serious injuries throughout the county, caused by e-bikes and e-scooters. We will continue to target anyone intent on this type of criminality on Lancashire’s roads.”