AN eigth arrest has been made in less than a week under Operation Buell, Somerset and Avon Police's fight against motorcycle crime.

This latest arrest has been made in direct connection with the classic Triumph Thunderbird that was stolen and torched following a failed ransom demand last week.

A statement from the force yesterday annouced that an 18-year-old man had been arreted on suspicion of theft of a motor vehicle from Guthrie Road, Bristol, on Tuesday February 13.

The man, who was arrested on Sunday, has been released under investigation while enquiries continue.

It was an incident that shocked bikers countrywide last week, and led to calls for police to take further action against motorcycle thieves.

A brazen group of youths, who went by the name ‘biketakerrr’ on Instagram, stole the 1951 Triumph, before demanding a £1,000 ransom from its owner for its safe return.

When the ransom wasn't immediately paid, they set fire the the machine and posted the video on Instagram.

Luckily the police were able to locate the bike from the clip and recovered it shortly afterwards. Despite the damage, the owner said that he thought the bike could be restored to its former glory.