We have received numerous reports over recent months that vehicles are being used with assailants brandishing weapons in the West Midlands area. Some gangs of thieves are using cloned or stolen vehicles to knock off motorcycle riders, or force them from the road. Others are on Scooters or Motorcycles and attacking riders with Machetes and Imitation Handguns.
The method sees riders knocked down, or from their machines and masked assailants leaping from these cars and attacking Riders with machetes or other weapons. Those on mopeds and motorcycles are attacking from behind and pulling riders off backwards or attacking with weapons. Police are aware, and are robustly dealing with the situation.
We have spoken with relevant Police Forces and have agreed a firm and decisive approach to armed attacks on Motorcycle Riders. A Robust approach will be implemented with Armed Response Officers deployed to scene to show that Police WILL NOT allow offenders to risk public life without recourse. If you are armed, with Machete or Imitation Firearm you will be dealt with as if you were holding a real handgun or a bladed weapon. Make no mistake, if you are running with these gangs, or you know your son, daughter, cousin or brother is involved with these armed gangs, there is a real and present risk to their lives. Police have a difficult and instant decision to make – if you are a ‘risk to life’ to the public, you may pay a hefty price. Arming yourself to rob people is not smart, and not advisable. Let’s be frank here, stealing a bike is not worth dying over!
We are aware of Riders growingly turning to arming themselves with a variety of Weapons in order to protect themselves. Many have reported regular and daily attempts to follow or attack them. We understand how you feel, but we must advise you NOT to arm yourselves. Purposefully taking a weapon or item of any kind to use as a weapon is classed as an offensive weapon in law. If you need to protect yourself, your first port of call is to avoid the situation and get away. You can read more in our article ‘All About O.O.D.A’ which talks you through anti surveillance techniques, how to avoid being followed and what to do if you are.
If you are pushed to defend yourself, then you are permitted to do so in law. However, you must ONLY USE WHAT IS TO HAND AT THE TIME, and you MUST NOT use excessive force – only enough to enable your escape. Be that a bike chain you lock your bike with, it will repel a bladed weapon if wrapped around your arm. Use your Helmet if it is off or something to hand at the scene. Whatever you do, DO NOT use a weapon taken or an item designed or adapted to be a weapon. If you do, it will likely be you in the dock when you should be the victim. You can find more detailed advice on the site or our Facebook page.
