POLICE have introduced a new “zero tolerance” crackdown on trespassers at a notorious off-road biking site in the district.
Officers have teamed up with the new owners of the disused quarry at Flappit, near Cullingworth, to stop bikers once and for all.
A fence is due to be erected around the site, off Halifax Road, above Cross Roads, and on-site security staff will patrol.
The main targets of the campaign – which will also include regular police patrols – are motorcyclists and quad bikers who ride at the quarry.
But police have also threatened action against anyone else found at the site, including people watching the bikers.
The renewed action follows the sale of the site to an unnamed buyer, who is preparing to begin work there.
The Flappit site was used by bikers and off-road riders for many years, but following the death of dad Mark Clifford in a quad bike accident at the site in 2007, Bradford Council has kept it closed.
Since then have there have been attempts to get the site reopened, including a Facebook campaign that attracted more than 1,300 supporters demanding the Flappit became an officially-recognised off-road motorcycle track.
Keighley Neighbourhood Policing Team has issued a new warning, stating clearly that there was no permission in place for anyone to enter the site for any leisure activities.
The police said the many near-misses and serious injuries over the years had usually been the result of reckless riding on poorly maintained vehicles by people with inadequate protective clothing.
Police revealed that despite efforts to restrict access, some riders used footpaths and bridleways tour access the site as well as manoeuvring between blocks of stone and other restrictions.
PC David Hitchcocks, from the Bradford District Anti-Social Behaviour Bike Unit, said: “Repeated anti-social and dangerous use of the site for “off roading” by certain members of the public with their vehicles has led to restrictions being imposed.
“These people only have themselves to blame and put other enthusiasts in a bad light with the general public.
“Anyone found on the site runs the risk of their vehicle being seized and potentially, fines or other restrictions being imposed.
“Any vehicles you use to travel to the site can also be checked and dealt with for any offences discovered, including obstruction offences for inconsiderate parking.
“Repeated warnings have been given over the past few years and any further use of the site will no longer be tolerated.”
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