Southend Shakedown: Shocking video released by police shows bikers wreaking havoc during 'dangerous' ride-out

Alexandra Richards12 April 2018
WEST END FINAL

Get our award-winning daily news email featuring exclusive stories, opinion and expert analysis

I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice.

Shocking footage released by police shows quad bikers and motorcyclists wreaking havoc during a "dangerous" ride-out in Southend.

The bikers rode along footpaths during an unlicensed event called the Southend Shakedown on Monday, April 2, Essex Police said.

In the footage, three bikers are seen mounting the pavement and riding up a footpath on the Cliffside.

Others performed wheelies and weaved in and out of traffic. Police have released the video clips in a bid to identify the "reckless" bikers responsible.

Chief Inspector Nick Lee described their actions as “downright dangerous.”

He said: “A minority of riders have been spotted on CCTV footage to be riding in ways which puts themselves and other people in danger.

“One particular incident where three bikes mount the pavement and then ride on a pedestrian footpath up the Cliffside is reckless and downright dangerous and it was just by sheer luck that the bikes did not encounter a pedestrian on their ‘shortcut’.”

The Southend Shakedown is an organised which takes place every year on Easter Bank Holiday weekend which sees hordes of bikers arrive along the seafront. This year’s event was cancelled but went ahead unofficially.

Working with the Southend council, officers have identified a number of the careless bikers who they wish to speak to, but are appealing for anyone with information to come forward.

“I am appealing for help to name these people. Their faces are covered which does present a difficulty but there will be people who recognised their bikes and their clothing who I am keen to hear from," Inspector Lee said.

Anyone who recognises any of the riders in the footage should contact Pc Michaela Hammond on 101 or by email at Michaela.hammond2@essex.pnn.police.uk.

Alternatively they can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Create a FREE account to continue reading

eros

Registration is a free and easy way to support our journalism.

Join our community where you can: comment on stories; sign up to newsletters; enter competitions and access content on our app.

Your email address

Must be at least 6 characters, include an upper and lower case character and a number

You must be at least 18 years old to create an account

* Required fields

Already have an account? SIGN IN

By clicking Create Account you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to our Terms of use , Cookie policy and Privacy policy .

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in

MORE ABOUT