South Wales Police and Forestry Commission Wales are gearing up to drive illegal off-road bikes and 4×4 vehicles out of the South Wales Valleys with a simple message: “No more off-road nuisance.”
This summer, neighbourhood policing teams will be working alongside Forestry Commission Wales and other partner agencies to crack down on offenders who are illegally riding or driving on prohibited land, tracks and trails without permission from land owners and land managers, and those who are riding antisocially.
Led by Forest Crime Officer Sergeant Andrew Scourfield, who is currently seconded to Forestry Commission Wales, the campaign will run all summer long.
Sergeant Scourfield said: “Illegal off-road motorcycling and driving might be perceived as a victimless crime by some, but that really isn’t the case.
“Farmers and land-owners have to foot the bill for criminal damage caused to property as a selfish few gain unlawful access to land, and the environmental damage caused is spoiling the countryside that so many of us like to enjoy in the summer months.
“We want to reassure our rural communities that off-road nuisance won’t be tolerated; we’re listening to their concerns and are tackling rural crime and antisocial behaviour in all its forms to keep South Wales safe.”
During the campaign, officers will be carrying out targeted proactive patrols in wards throughout the force area, including Maesteg, Caerau, Cymmer, Ton Pentre, Tonypandy, Ferndale and Mountain Ash, using their powers to stop and search vehicles and seize them where appropriate.
Officers will also be educating off-road motorcyclists and drivers on places where they can enjoy activities in a safe and legal environment, in order to prevent future incidents occurring.
Sergeant Scourfield said: “It’s important to make the public aware that not all riders who appear to drive off-road ‘scrambler’ type bikes are breaking the law.
“Many are responsible riders who bike on the roads legally and ride on by-ways and legal tracks. These riders follow a code of conduct and enjoy the countryside in the same way as a walker, cyclist or horse rider.
“This campaign isn’t targeted at all off-road riders – it’s specifically targeting those who ride unlawfully or in an antisocial manner, and are spoiling other people’s quality of life.”
In recent years, a significant number of legal off-road routes have been closed down or restricted, seriously limiting the areas where responsible law-abiding riders can enjoy their activities.
Peter Cloke, Deputy Forest District Manager of Forestry Commission Wales said: “We often receive complaints from visitors who have had their visit to the forest spoilt due to the irresponsible behaviour of a minority of scrambler bike users.
“We welcome the support of South Wales Police in cracking down on antisocial motorcycle use in the forests of south Wales.”
Other forms of rural crime such as fly-tipping, grass fires, and wildlife crime will also be addressed by officers during the summer crackdown.
If you have any concerns about off-road biking and vehicles, you can share your concerns with your neighbourhood policing officer at your next local PACT meeting. To find details on who your local neighbourhood officer is and the date of your next PACT meeting, visit www.ourbobby.com.
To report a non-emergency incident to South Wales Police, dial 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
