Man’s leg broken by motorbike rider fleeing police in Bournemouth

A man suffered a broken leg when he was knocked over by a motorcyclist that police officers were attempting to stop.

Dorset Police said four men were arrested and a number of vehicles were seized on Saturday after an illegal procession of motorbikes and e-bikes was prevented in Bournemouth.

Joe Hart, who said the bike came out of nowhere when it hit him in a car park close to the seafront, added: “I got away with a broken leg and a damaged shoulder, someone younger, someone smaller, someone older, they would have been killed.”

Dorset Police said it had referred the incident to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

Mr Hart said he and his wife were returning to their car when they saw a large police presence on Exeter Road and Bath Road near the pier.

After hearing “the police shout and scream”, Mr Hart said there was a tussle and a motorbike struck him at about “20 to 30mph” and “in a blink of an eye, I’m on the floor”.

He said: “It wasn’t a friendly rider, it wasn’t a group of young individuals coming together to celebrate Christmas.

“It was literally ‘we’re going to go into town and we’re going to cause as much havoc and we’re going to intimidate as many people with our black balaclava on as possible’. And it was just a very menacing feeling.”

The force said officers were alerted to posts in social media groups encouraging members to gather on dirt bikes, e-scooters, e-bikes, quad bikes and other vehicles to “fight against Dorset Police”.

A 20-year-old man from Reading, Berkshire, was arrested on suspicion of causing a public nuisance and has since been released on police bail.

Three other men detained on driving and drugs offences have been released under investigation.

Mr Hart praised the police response as “excellent”, adding: “They were very supportive. They managed to get the rider, they contained him from trying to get back on the bike and trying to flee the scene.

“I was in shock, from the injury to my leg. They managed to look after me…call an ambulance and issue first aid.”

In a statement, a Dorset Police spokesperson said: “Officers on foot attempted to stop the vehicle shortly before the collision with the pedestrian.

“Due to a serious injury occurring following police contact, a mandatory referral has been made to the IOPC.”

The IOPC has been approached for comment.

Illegal vehicles seized on Saturday included mopeds, electric motorcycles, e-scooters and adapted pedal cycles.

Pictures issued by police showed a number of riders being stopped or spoken to close to Bournemouth seafront.

Ch Supt Lindsay Dudfield said: “We know that the anti-social riding of e-bikes and e-scooters is of significant concern to our residents and it was vital we acted upon these concerns to ensure everyone can have a safe and enjoyable time in the area.”