Police van checks in battle against off-road bikers
POLICE in Rossendale launched a crackdown operation to prevent off-road bikes being sneaked into the Valley on the backs of vans.
Over recent months farmers, land owners and residents have reported numerous incidents of illegal use of off-road bikes on moorland.
LancsLive reported in January how offenders were treating Lancashire’s farmland like a ‘playground for grown men’ and creating mess, misery and devastation that is ‘totally beyond belief’
Groups of up to 20 bikers were seen ‘shredding their land to pieces’ with pregnant animals being struck by motorcross bikers.
Rossendale’s Rural Task Force carried out checks on vans entering the borough on Saturday morning, April 24.
No off-road bikes were found during the searches, however several drivers were reported for having either no licence or insurance.
A force spokesperson said; “Rossendale’s Rural Task Force have been out this morning (April 24) tackling the problem of ‘Off-roading’ and road safety.
“The public report to us that bikes are being transported into Rossendale in the back of vans to then be illegally ridden on our moorland. As such they have concentrated on stopping vans this morning.”
“We are pleased to report that several vans that were stopped were travelling to our local sites where they can be used legally.
“However, within a couple of hours they had reported two drivers for no insurance and one with no licence. Reported another for driving while disqualified, seized one van and then arrested a person while assisting with a separate matter who was wanted on recall to prison.
“Rossendale Police would ask people that undertake this activity to use legal facilities and not break the law by riding on moorland.”