Brighton vigilante gang are stealing back motorbikes

That is the message to bike thieves from a vigilante biker gang who “steal” back stolen motorbikes

The vigilante gang, who operate in the Greater Brighton area, say they confront criminals, who are sometimes armed with “hammers and knives”, to return the bikes to their owners.

One vigilante, who quit his job to run the operation, said: “We get a tip-off on a stolen bike and the crew will race out to that location and tackle [the thieves].

“We will face people who have hammers and knives but we still take them down.

Pictured above the vigilante who asked to remain anonymous

“We follow at safe speed and when it’s not residential or busy we will block them.

“Many times we restrain them and phone the police.”

Once the bike is secured the group will return it to its grateful owner.

The vigilante added: “The owners are over the moon.

“We do it to see smiles back on their faces. They try offering us money but we do not take it as we do this for free”

The group is made up of roughly 100 members and has been operating for two years.

Stolen bikes and information about their whereabouts is posted to a Facebook group called Sussex Stolen Motorcycles.

The vigilantes from the group work in partnership with another group.

The vigilante said he is not scared of chasing the criminals and said “adrenaline takes over”.

When asked by The Argus what his message would be for potential bike thieves, the vigilante said: “We’re coming for you.”

According to the group, most thefts are carried out by the same local people who work together. The motorbikes and mopeds are stolen either to joyride or are stripped for money.

They say bike theft in the area is getting worse and a motorbike is stolen about every two hours.

The group says that they have taken justice into their own hands as the police have been ineffective in dealing with the issue.

The vigilante, who started tracking down the bikes after he had one of his stolen, said: “I had a motorbike stolen and knew who had done it.

"I had solid evidence for them to go and regain my bike and arrest but they failed.

"Too much of this type of thing is happening to people. Police seem to know who these thieves are but their resources are limited so we are taking matters in to our own hands now.

“There needs to be longer prison sentences for offenders.”

Have you had your motorbike stolen in the Greater Brighton area? Get in contact at jody.doherty-cove@theargus.co.uk.

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