Brave Duo Hospitalised After Stopping Newcastle Motorbike Theft

Two men have been arrested after an alleged attempted motorbike theft at The Gate in Newcastle city centre during the early hours of the morning.

Northumbria Police were called just before 1am following reports that two suspects were attempting to steal a motorbike from the multi-storey car park at The Gate. It was alleged the pair used bolt cutters to cut through a lock securing the bike before trying to leave the area via Stowell Street.

As the suspects attempted to make their escape, two members of the public stepped in and challenged them. Police say the men, who are aged in their 30s and 40s, were allegedly assaulted during the confrontation but managed to pursue and detain the suspects until officers arrived.

Knife and Sur-Ron bike seized.

Officers reached the scene within minutes and arrested two men, aged 19 and 21, on suspicion of offences linked to the incident. Both remain in police custody while enquiries continue.

Police also seized a Sur-Ron electric bike believed to have been involved in the incident. During the arrests, officers reportedly recovered a knife from one of the suspects, with the weapon also taken into police possession.

The motorbike believed to have been targeted was recovered at the scene and safely returned to its owner in Newcastle city centre.

The two men who intervened suffered minor injuries during the incident and were taken to hospital for treatment. Their injuries are not believed to be life threatening.

Police praise public intervention.

Northumbria Police thanked the two members of the public whose actions helped prevent the suspected theft and assisted officers in making the arrests.

The force said it would not tolerate theft or violence within local communities and praised the quick response from officers, which helped bring the incident to a swift conclusion.

Police continue to encourage anyone who witnesses suspicious activity in Newcastle to report it. Incidents already in progress should always be reported by calling 999, while non-emergency information can be shared through the force's social media channels or other reporting methods.

Motorcycle theft remains a concern.

Motorcycle theft continues to be an issue across many parts of the UK, with electric bikes such as Sur-Ron models becoming increasingly attractive targets because of their high value and growing popularity.

Latest Office for National Statistics data shows police recorded 48,774 offences involving knives or sharp instruments across England and Wales in the year ending March 2026. While this represented an 8 percent fall compared with the previous year, robbery remained one of the most common offences linked to knife crime.

The latest figures also show police recorded 87,362 robbery offences during the same period, highlighting the continued importance of rapid police responses and public vigilance when crimes are reported.

For Newcastle residents and visitors alike, the incident serves as a reminder to use high quality security devices when parking motorcycles and electric bikes in public locations, particularly overnight.

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