Police have seized a van with fake number plates during a summer night of patrol against anti-social behaviour.

In operation Safe4Summer, police in Bolton responded to various reports of anti-social behaviour, including off-road bikes in Breightmet.

CCTV captured images of the rider and police are now investigating their identity.

A spokesman for police said: “Whilst it felt like we were on patrol in Tunisia, the Bolton North Neighbourhood Team have been patrolling the Bolton area and responding to reports of anti-social behaviour.

The Bolton News: Police

"Just a few of the incidents we have attended this evening - we started off the shift responding to reports of off-road bikes on New House Farm Playing Fields in Breightmet.

"Despite the stealthy approach from our officers to catch the bikers whilst they were stationary, they rode off - straight into the path of other officers.

"Whilst we didn't manage to catch the rider this time, we captured their face on our cameras and enquiries are on-going to identify the rider and take action.”

On the same night on Back Grove Street in Halliwell, police seized a van found with fake number plates.

A spokesman for police said: “Later in the shift, officers spotted this Vauxhall Vivaro van tucked up on Back Grove Street, Halliwell.

“Checks discovered that the number plates it was displaying had been stolen in December 2022.

“We checked to see if this was the true van but checks revealed that the van was on false plates.

“The van has been seized to be examined to see if it is stolen.”

Officers also visited others areas in Bolton which have been reported in the past.

A spokesman for police said: “We then attended local areas that the community have reported as being an issue for anti-social behaviour.

“Despite the warm weather, everyone seemed to be behaving! Safe4Summer will continue tomorrow evening.”