SIBU: The local police with 75 constables and officers stationed at strategic points successfully prevented illegal motorcycle racing and other crimes here on Sunday night, thus maintaining a peaceful National Day countdown.

District police chief, ACP Shafie Ismail, said on the phone that the law enforcers were from all units of his department.

He said they set up a road block in front of the police station while others were all over town.

The outskirts of town were under the mobile patrol units.

“Seven persons were arrested at the road block for various offences, and in addition we issued 75 traffic summonses.

“The celebration was peaceful, thanks to the cooperation of the public.”

The police chief said they merged with the crowd as early as 10pm, and when all was clear at 3am the next day, they ended their operation.

He said he and his deputy chief were with the team throughout the five hours of the operation.

On their crime prevention efforts, he said a man and a woman in a car were arrested at the road block after they were found in possession of a dangerous drug.

Three packets of the drug were seized from them.

He said two boys were also arrested when the police found that they were in possession of stolen motorcycles.

“One illegal immigrant was also arrested. The man had no travel document. We are now questioning him.”

He said two other motorcyclists were arrested for challenging the policemen who prevented them from racing.

Of the 75 traffic summonses issued during the operation, Shafie said they were for offences such as having no road tax or driving licence, dangerous driving and riding, and others.

A large crowd gathered to watch the police at the road block.

Whenever the police stopped a motorist, the crowd cheered to show their support.

Elsewhere in town, policemen also checked drivers and riders and reminded them to have a peaceful celebration.

A reporter at the town square saw policemen stopping a car with tinted windscreens.

The owner was asked to take off the tint before letting him and his girlfriend go for the countdown.

Shafie noted that young motorcyclists liked riding around while their pillion riders waved large flags.

“Such an act could be dangerous,” he said.

As early as 8pm on Sunday, high spirited young motorcyclists and bicyclists were already gathering in groups in the town square and other places, waiting for the countdown.