Police in Todmorden have seized an off-road motorbike on Todmorden Moor after previously warning riders to stay away from the site.
Local residents and members of the Todmorden Moor Restoration Trust had asked officers to tackle the problem of off-road motorcycles and 4×4s ruining the fragile eco system at the scenic spot.
And since then officers from the Upper Valley Neighbourhood Policing Team have been keeping an eagle eye out at the site for anyone riding bikes there.
“Illegal off-roaders have been leaving trails in the ground. Rain water has collected in them and is scouring some of the important peat bogs away,” said Inspector Derrick Oldham in charge of the Upper Valley NPT.
“This was identified to us as a key priority to tackle in the area and we have put our money where our mouth is and taken action.”
“We warned off-roaders to stay away and now we have seized a bike.”
“Officers will not hesitate to action if they see people up on the moors who shouldn’t be there.”
Covert CCTV cameras have been installed at the site with warnings already handed out to people caught driving 4×4s across the moor.
Robin and Sarah Pennie are trustees for the Todmorden Moor Restoration Trust.
“It is fantastic to see the police taking action and removing these vehicles from the Moor.”
“Hopefully it will send out a clear message to people thinking of using it for off-roading that they risk having their vehicle taken from them.”
The rider of the motorcycle was reported for summons on suspicion of having no insurance, no MOT and driving otherwise in accordance with a licence.
He was also given a section 59 warning.
