A FRESH warning has been issued to quad bikers in the face of a rise in “menacing” anti-social riding across the district.

Bradford’s specialist ‘quad squad’ has continued its crackdown on anti-social and illegal use of motorcycles, quads and other vehicles.

Since 2014, the team has notched up more than 820 vehicle seizures with almost 900 ‘section 59’ warnings and a number of prosecutions for road traffic and vehicle crime offences

Following a rise in reports of ‘demon’ drivers, patrols have been stepped up in hotspot areas and the force has said action will be taken against anyone using off-road motorcycles and quads illegally or antisocially.

PC David Hitchcocks, of the Bradford District ASB Bike Team, said: “Any owners of motorcycles, quads or off road vehicles need to act responsibly and use their vehicle in a sensible manner at a legal location.

“Moorland, public parks, grassed areas, cycle areas and ‘wasteland’ are not to be used by motor vehicles.

“Anyone found doing so will risk their vehicle being seized, their licence being endorsed with points, possible fines being imposed and also the consideration of being prosecuted for criminal damage.

“There are no excuses and a simple search on the internet will identify numerous legal off-road sites you can use your vehicle at.”

He added that privately owned land, such as the Flappit site near Cullingworth or quarries are “no go” areas.

“..The urban myth they are authorised for off-road use should be dismissed.

“Private land can only be used with the land owner’s permission and for no other reason.

“I would encourage the public to report any illegal vehicular activity, pass on names/addresses of those responsible to the police and also let us know about storage locations for these vehicles.

“Pictures and footage can also be sent to the police of any activity you witness.”

Councillors have welcomed the squad’s work to tackle the blight of nuisance bikes.

Councillor Michael Stelling (Liberal Democrat, Bolton and Undercliffe) said: “It’s an issue across the district. It’s a menace.

“It’s not just quad bikes, but trial bikes as well. They do get driven around menacingly.”

He said it was good news that the team had issued a fresh warning and that so many vehicles had been seized.

“It’s a difficult battle,” Cllr Stelling said. “I’ve seen various incidents in my ward and the adjacent ward of these quad bikes being driven in a menacing way,

“The police are doing the best job they can do to tackle the situation. Members of the public do need to come forward to report it.”

Jeanette Sunderland, Liberal Democrat ward councillor for Idle and Thackley, added: “I welcome this action. It’s just a nuisance, they are spoiling people’s pleasure.

“They churn up verges, they are dangerous on the roads and they risk other people’s lives.

“We need to help the police, as these bikes are being kept somewhere.”

While councillor David Green (Labour, Wibsey) said the issue is one which has “blighted” a lot of people’s lives in Wibsey.

“Any action that the police take to crack down on this is going to be welcomed by my constituents," he said.

“I’m delighted by the numbers for the notices and bikes seized and I hope that we will be working with the police to try and make sure there’s even further reductions.

“It’s not just a nuisance - it’s a danger to a lot of people. You just have to look at the way some of these people drive these bikes, it’s an accident waiting to happen.”

Chief Inspector Jo Beecroft of Bradford District Police, said: “Illegal and anti-social riding by off road riding cause real misery in communities and it is an issue which our neighbourhood officers take very seriously.

"The summer months often see an upsurge in offending of this type and as a result our NPT officers and colleagues at the ASB Bike Team have upped their own activity to crack down on this behaviour.

“ It is clearly good news that over 800 vehicles have been seized by officers and we wish to thank residents who have contacted the team with intelligence about such activity in their communities.

“We continue to appeal to anyone who has information about such behaviour in their communities to report it to the team on 101 or at bdasbbiketeam@westyorkshire.pnn.police.uk."