Roebourne Police launch Operation Corsair to target illegal use of off-road vehicles in Roebourne and surround

Recently acquired drones are the key to a police operation targetting suspects illegally using off-road vehicles on Roebourne, Point Samson and Wickham roads and surrounds. Operation Corsair was launched by Roebourne police with support from the City of Karratha in October. The drones are being used by the police to identify, observe and track the movements of offenders, and to safely apprehend suspects and seize motorcycles. The joint initiative aims to educate and remind people of the rules and potential consequences of the use of unregistered off-road motorcycles, as well as quad bikes and buggies. Since January, Roebourne police had 30 reports of unregistered off-road motorcycles being driven recklessly on the roads of Roebourne and Wickham, with police only able to seize two motorcycles in these areas. Police reported a man was riding an off-road motorcycle on Roebourne’s roads without protective gear on August 12 when he crashed into a fence and was flown down to Perth to receive treatment. On September 9, two off-road motorcycles were riding together on Point Samson Road near Wickham when they collided. Neither rider was wearing a helmet and both were injured. Two days later an off-road motorcycle crashed into a steel pole in Roebourne and the rider suffered serious injuries. Roebourne officer-in-charge Mark Barratt said if something was not done about this behaviour, it was only a matter of time before someone was killed. “Previously, the unlawful use of off-road motorcycles has been difficult for police to prevent due to the unacceptable risks associated to the rider, other road users and police,” he said. “We have recently acquired a remotely piloted aircraft system, typically known as a drone, which will allow us to identify, observe and track the movements of offenders without their knowledge, allowing the safe apprehension of persons responsible and the seizure of motorcycles. “We can’t do it without the assistance from the public. If you see anything that you think might be able to assist us in identifying who these riders are and where they are coming from, call the Roebourne Police Station.”