Last updated at 16:54, Thursday, 20 November 2008

ROGUE bikers who churn up tracks in Slaley Forest are being targeted by police.

The operation is in response to repeated calls and complaints by residents living in the area, about the damage caused by motor bikes.

Although trail riding is perfectly legal, motorcyclists must stick to a code of conduct and cannot ride on public footpaths or bridleways.

Bikes must be road-worthy and must display a standard-sized square registration plate.

Local police officer, Iain Robertson, is working closely with the Trail Riders Fellowship (TRF) to try to tackle the problem of illegal use of the local paths.

At a recent meeting of Slaley Parish Council PC Robertson said: “In the next few weeks we are holding some pro-active days in the forest to try to deter illegal users.”

The problem is particularly prevalent on Sundays when residents have reported seeing vans with trailers carrying bikes into the forest.

Although many are legal users who abide by the code of conduct set by the TRF, PC Robertson has recently advised other users spotted in the forest about ways to ride legally.

First published at 21:09, Wednesday, 19 November 2008
Published by http://www.hexhamcourant.co.uk