An e-bike rider has been arrested in Bury town centre after shoppers were ‘plagued’ with illegal and anti-social behaviour.

Plain clothes police officers used the element of surprise to detain and arrest a man in Bury yesterday, December 8.

Police were called to reports of an e-bike being ridden illegally and in an antisocial manner.

Bury Times: E-bike

 Officers were able to remove the man from his bike and detain him.

Following a search, the man was reportedly arrested for the driving offences and possession with intent to supply a controlled substance class B.

A Greater Manchester Police spokesperson said: “We are dedicated to ensuring that our town centre is safe; we follow up on reports of antisocial behaviour, drug dealing and taking and also use of these e-bikes.”

They added: “Santa came early this year.

“Yesterday, December 8, officers who were deployed on OpDasher were fortunate enough to have the help of plainclothes officers from GMPTransportUnit.

“Following a sighting of a Sur-Ron e-bike that's plagued the town centre recently, one was seen again being ridden both illegally and in an antisocial manner.

Bury Times: GMP in Bury town centre

“The element of surprise was on our side and the plain clothes officers managed to remove the male from the bike and detain him; following a search the rider was arrested for the driving offences and also possession with intent to supply a controlled substance class B.

“Perhaps the rider of this bike will put another on his list for Santa!”