Police revved up for off road action combating illegal and anti social motorbikes and quad bikes

Officers from Newark’s Neighbourhood Policing Team and Operation Reacher headed to farmland, woodland and disused colliery sites armed with police quad bikes, marked and unmarked cycles.

The activity was part of Operation Jericho which includes cross-border working with teams at Sherwood and Mansfield as well as neighbouring forces. The action was prompted after residents’ complaints.

Police Constable Gareth Nicholls, of the Newark Neighbourhood team, said: "We are committed to tackling the anti-social behaviour and damage caused by off-road vehicles. Some of which are stolen, many riders are uninsured and don't have licences.

"Despite being dangerous, the noise and damage caused to private and public land impacts people and causes them constant misery.

"I hope the action we continue to take reassures people that we understand and we are listening to their concerns.

"We will not get complacent, we have regular events like the one today plannedand we welcome any information the public can provide.

"Once we’ve identified offenders we will utilise all of our powers to take action which could ultimately end up with their bikes being crushed."

Today’s operation resulted in a Section 59 notice being served on the user of an off-road motorcycle, police can seize the vehicle if the rider is caught driving in a careless or anti-social manner again over the next 12 months.

Police say Operation Jericho is a ‘huge deterrent’ for the illegal use of off-road vehicles and officers are ‘keen’ to implement it again.

Anyone with information about people using off-road bikes are asked to call 101.