A police squad set up to tackle nuisance bikes has seized vehicles and given warnings after finding bikers riding illegally at the Flappit Quarry near Denholme.

The quarry has been popular with off road bikers for several years, despite there being an official ban on riding there. As part of a new push to cut down on anti-social riders across the district, the police "quad squad" recently visited the quarry on Keighley Road after reports from the public. Once there they seized two bikes on the grounds of anti-social use and gave three other riders warnings. One had tried to escape, but was stopped a short distance away. They searched one of the rider's vehicles and found a small amount of cannabis - which led to the owner being given a police caution.

The incident, on July 13, happened shortly after West Yorkshire Police started its new campaign against anti-social riders.

The Flappit had been popular with off road riders for years, but in 2007 the death of Mark Clifford in a quad bike accident led to Bradford Council closing it down for safety concerns. But despite the threat of legal action the quarry is still regularly used.

Last week was anti-social behaviour awareness week, and in this time officers seized a total of nine bikes and issued 11 warnings to people suspected of using them to cause a nuisance throughout the district.

As well as responding to calls, the team works closely with Bradford Council and social housing provider Incommunities to take action against repeat offenders, or those found to be storing bikes which have been used in an anti-social manner.

Sergeant Jon Best, said: "We would like to thank the public for engaging with the team in such a positive way and contributing to the results we have had so far.

"We will continue to do all we can to tackle the nuisance use of bikes and quad bikes, but we would again ask people to give us any information as to who might be riding these machines and where they might be kept."

Helen Gibson, Director of Incommunities – Neighbourhood Services, said: "We would urge any Incommunities resident affected by this form of nuisance behaviour to contact the police or their local neighbourhood office with details. All reports will be treated in strictest confidence."

Councillor Imran Hussain, Deputy Leader of the Council, said: "This crackdown on nuisance bikes has been very successful and encouraged people to come forward to make complaints. I hope this raised awareness continues, so we can do further work in partnership to combat this and other anti-social problems in our communities."

Anyone with information about nuisance bikes in their area can contact the team anonymously on 01274 373968 or email bradforddistrictasbbiketeam@westyorkshire.pnn.police.uk.