Off roaders 'not welcome' at popular Mansfield spot as police step up patrols

The Desert, a sandy patch of land near the Oak Tree Lane Estate, has long been popular with off-road vehicle users and there have been fears raised over damage to wildlife.

A Mansfield couple walking on the Desert also raised safety concerns saying they were almost knocked over there recently.

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A woman who wishes to remain anonymous told the Chad: “This 4x4 vehicle came tearing by us and we were almost hit. We took photos and the man reversed and started shouting.

"We had to run, climb over barbed wire and hide. The other vehicles were looking for us. We called the police, but we were in the middle of nowhere, it was scary.”

Inspector Nick Butler, district commander for Mansfield, said: “People who drive and ride off-road vehicles illegally in our green spaces are not only a nuisance; they are also a considerable danger to themselves and people enjoying the outdoors.

“It’s selfish, unlawful and anti-social behaviour. We will never turn a blind eye. Off-road vehicles are simply not allowed on the Desert, or on the various footpaths and bridleways in the area.

“This is a beautiful part of Mansfield unsurprisingly it is popular with walkers. It is rich in wildlife and the habitat is being destroyed.

"The vehicles being used are not only damaging the wildlife, they are also polluting the ponds with oil. It is frankly ecological vandalism. Incidents like this are wholly unacceptable but are perhaps not surprising form people who show such a brazen disregard for the law.

“We have been working for some time to deter people from using this site for this purpose, and regularly deploy our off-road team to take enforcement action seizing vehicles and issuing penalties to riders and drivers.

“In response to public concerns we have also started to patrol the area at night and recently seized a modified 4x4 that crashed as it was driven away from my officers.

“We’ll carry on for as long as it takes for drivers and riders to get the message they are not welcome in this area. If they continue to ignore that message we will keep fining people and seizing vehicles.”

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