Forces from South Yorkshire, Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire team up to tackle anti-social off-road bikes

The joint operation, which involved South Yorkshire, Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire was launched on Sunday, January 19 around the Bassetlaw and neighbouring areas.

Numerous officers used off-road bikes, quad bikes and 4x4 vehicles as they patrolled local farmland woodland and disused colliery sites.

The operation followed intelligence that suggested offenders who are causing damage to rural areas of Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire, following the theft of quad bikes, have strong links to the Rotherham area.

The operation resulted in several riders being stopped and warned, one bike being seized and several Section 59 warning notices being issued for the anti-social use of off-road vehicles.

Chief Inspector Liz Rogers, Nottinghamshire Police’s Rural Crime lead, said: "This operation demonstrates how we are working closely with our neighbouring forces to tackle the anti-social behaviour and damage caused by off-road vehicles which may or may not be legitimately owned.

"We understand the intelligence picture and where the offenders are travelling from and we will be proactive in tackling the problem, in support of our local communities and landowners.

"I hope the ongoing action we’re taking to tackle the illegal and anti-social use of these vehicles reassures our local residents that we are listening to their concerns and taking them seriously. We will be continuing our efforts, working with our partners, to crack down on this anti-social behaviour."

"We need more members of the public to help us reduce nuisance off-road biking by reporting incidents to us. If anyone has any information about people using off-road bikes then please call us on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111."

If you’re riding your off-road vehicle on a road you must have/do the following:

* Have a valid MOT certificate if the vehicle is more than three years old

* Register your quad bike with the DVLA, make sure your vehicle is taxed and has front and rear number plates

* Have a full car licence or a category B1 licence if it was issued before January 1997

* Have a minimum of third party insurance