Crackdown on those who damage Dales green lanes

ILLEGAL off-road motorbikers and car drivers are being targeted in a Christmas crackdown by police and Rangers from the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority.

North Yorkshire Police officers and the Rangers have been out checking on the illegal use of footpaths and bridleways by motorcyclists and 4x4 users across the Yorkshire Dales.

Police are also acting where vehicles are found not to be road legal or where the rider has no insurance or other documentation.

Mark Allum, the YDNPA's Access Project Officer, said: "Illegal use of footpaths and bridleways in the National Park can cause damage to the environment as well as annoyance and disruption to other users.

"These joint patrols have already proved successful this winter with two motorcyclists being taken to court, and one issued with a formal caution and section 59 warning - meaning that a repeat offence will result in the vehicle being seized.

"In the Hawes area a motorcyclist was found to have no insurance and the vehicle was seized, and four others were issued with fixed penalty fines for vehicle defects."

Staff and volunteers at the National Park have received witness and evidence gathering training from North Yorkshire Police.

As a result, the number of reports of infringements has increased, with good quality evidence being produced such as photographs and statements which enables the police to positively deal with this type of incident.

There are currently three offences being investigated as a result of this type of evidence being produced.

Mark added: "We will be continuing these checks throughout the Christmas and New Year period in different areas of the National Park."

The police are also calling for more reports of incidents from members of the public. These should be handed into local police stations in Grassington, Settle, Ingleton and Leyburn.