NEW HOUSING and increased protection for green spaces has caused nuisance quad bikers to take to roads and pavements in Bradford’s suburbs, say police.

Rather than using scrubland and unused fields, many now developed or secured with better fencing in recent years, anti-social motorbike and quad bike riders have been taking to the highways.

Neighbourhood policing officers in Eccleshill Ward made it a priority to “identify and disrupt” mainly young men who ride in a dangerous manner on roads at Ravenscliffe, Fagley and Thorpe Edge. A knock-on effect has been an increase in theft of motorbikes and scooters locally.

A neighbourhood policing spokesman said: “New housing and improved protection of green spaces has caused these offenders to become more prevalent on roads and pavements.”