Motorbikes ridden on playing field during solar eclipse

Hundreds took to local green spaces on the night of Wednesday, August 12, when the most complete solar eclipse visible from the UK took place to the delight of viewers.

The family-friendly event was hijacked in one Oxford park, however, as police received reports of a group riding motorbikes around Risinghurst Playing Fields during the astronomical event.

Thames Valley Police is now appealing for information on the alleged criminal bikers, and are asking for anyone who saw what happened to make a report.

A spokesperson for the North East Oxford neighbourhood policing team said: “Officers are seeking to identify those involved and would like to hear from anyone who witnessed the motorcycles being ridden in the area, or who may have captured CCTV, doorbell, dashcam, or mobile phone footage of the incident.

“If you have any information that may assist enquiries, please contact Thames Valley Police via our website or by calling 101, quoting the relevant incident reference number – 43260421975

“Your information, no matter how small it may seem, could assist our investigation.”

The rare solar event, in which the moon passed in front of the sun and cast a shadow on the earth, covering up to 95 per cent of the sun’s surface for a short time in the UK, was viewed by thousands from across the country.