The number of motorbikes being stolen in Hull has dropped by more than 76% in the last two years.

Between January and December 2016 a total of 349 thefts were reported to us. By the end of October this year, there were just 83.

And now we have a new device to help us do even more to tackle motorcycle crime – which has already led to one stolen bike being recovered.

As part of Operation Yellowfin, all 75 PCSOs in Hull have been trained and issued with a handheld Offender Tagging Device (OTD) so they can spray a bike or a rider who is riding antisocially or dangerously.

With a 5-8 metre range, the OTDs have been carried by our officers for the past 11 days. They’ve been used twice which has already resulted in a motorbike being recovered.

The spray has a unique agent inside that can also be used to identify a suspect if they’re later arrested for an unconnected crime.

And when you couple this with the evidence captured by Body Worn Video cameras, offenders have nowhere to hide.

PC Steph Jackson (pictured), the Kingswood Community Beat Manager, said: “These devices and this spray will help me and my colleagues continue our crackdown on those individuals who think stealing motorbikes and riding them dangerously and antisocially is acceptable.

“It is not. As part of Operation Yellowfin we work closely with the council, businesses, petrol stations and the public to find these criminals.

“I look forward to even more results we will get with the new devices so we can build on our successes so far.”

The new technology will also help us recover more stolen or non-roadworthy motorbikes. In the last six months we have recovered 239 bikes in the city, following incidents such as thefts and road traffic collisions.

Superintendent Phil Gadd said: “The devices have been paid for by our Community Safety Partners and are our new initiative to bring to book criminals involved in nuisance riding and other motorbike related crimes as part of Operation Yellowfin.

“They are part of our ongoing response to this issue which we do not take lightly.

“I’m extremely pleased with the falling numbers of motorbike thefts over the past three years and the increasing number of bikes we’ve recovered. These include not just high end vehicles but scooters and mopeds.

“Intelligence is vital to Operation Yellowfin and it is definitely showing results. I want people to continue to report this kind of crime to us, let us know what you’re concerned about so we can act.”

Whenever you report any motorbike related crime to us always use the word ‘Yellowfin’. That includes anything on your own social media where you can use the hashtag #OpYellowfin

You can contact us directly on 101 or if you want to remain anonymous call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.