The rider of a scrambler bike involved in a road crash has been arrested on suspicion of theft.
A 28-year-old man from Melling was taken to hospital after the incident at around 5.15pm on Wednesday evening.
He sustained a head injury after his Kawawaki scrambler bike collided with a blue Volvo car on Ullet Road at its junction with Linnet Lane.
Police have confirmed that the rider was not wearing a helmet during the accident and remains in hospital where his condition is described as serious but stable.
Detectives have arrested the man on suspicion of theft of an off-road bike.
It is believed the scrambler bike and three others were seen being ridden together at speed shortly before the incident by riders in dark clothing.
Eyewitness reports claimed that the trio were also not wearing helmets or safety equipment and did not have lights on the bike.
Following the collision, two of the riders removed a bag from the injured man and attempted unsuccessfully to lift him onto a bike before making off from the scene.
Police seized the Kawasaki bike was seized and a second scrambler bike, an orange KTM, was recovered from a garden nearby shortly after the incident.
Detective Chief Inspector John Webster said: “Our enquiries into this incident are at an early stage.
“But we currently believe the scrambler bike was being ridden in an anti-social manner with three others prior to the collision.
“We are keen to speak with anyone who witnessed the collision or any sightings of the scrambler bikes in the area around 5pm.
“We would also like to hear from anyone who may have seen the bikes – a green and black Kawasaki and an orange KTM bike – being ridden in Merseyside recently to contact us.
“Any information you have, however small it may seem, could prove vital to our enquiries.
“I would like to take this opportunity to reassure communities across Merseyside that we understand their concerns about scrambler bikes and will be relentless in our efforts to tackle them.
“Scrambler bikes are not just a nuisance – they have been linked to people involved in serious and organised crime who bring fear and harm to our communities.
“We know they have been used in firearm incidents and we are determined to take these bikes out of the hands of serious criminals.
“The riders of these bikes are clearly jeopardising their own safety, by riding without any helmets or safety equipment.
“The manner of their riding means they often risk the safety of innocent road users and pedestrians too.
“Merseyside Police will continue to take proactive action to locate and seize suspected stolen or nuisance bikes. Merseyside Police will not tolerate the illegal or anti-social use of scrambler bikes
“But we need the public to tell us where these bikes are being stored and who is using them so we can take action and get these bikes out of circulation.
“If you provide us or Crimestoppers with information about the use of these bikes, I can assure you we will take action.”