A squad of police officers on motorbikes are taking the fight against off-road bikers into their territory with a series of high-profile operations.

Complaints about the noise and disruption from off-roaders using open land are increasing and at the weekend police launched a campaign in a bid to control the problem.

PC David Gledhill, of Bradford North Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT), said: "They go around not just Bradford but further afield. There can be five, eight or even 20 in a group."

He said the main problem was the noise that the bikes made and people riding around with no purpose to their journey.

In Bradford North PC Gledhill said police could receive one or two calls during the week with regard to off-road bikes, but that could go up to 40 a day at the weekend.

North Parade in Allerton is one of the places where residents have complained to police.

Officers were in the area as part of an off-road motorcycle day of action on Saturday.

"This is part of an on-going initiative with regards to nuisance vehicles. Mainly people complain about quads and off-road motorbikes," said PC Gledhill.

"It is a problem in particular areas and Allerton is just one of those areas."

Members of Bradford North NPT have specially modified bikes which they use to pursue the bikers.

"These riders are difficult to catch, because we can't pursue off-road bikes on foot or in a normal vehicle, so we have these motorcycles," said PC Gledhill. The bikes are the same a normal motorbike but have a blue light and police radio.

Amanda Simpson, 29, who lives in the area said of the off-roaders: "They do go up and down the road a lot. It's dangerous because they go so fast. I've got a ten-year-old son and a dog and it's not safe for them."

Another resident, Christopher Duerden, 54, said: "You can hear them in the night. They are only small but they make such a lot of noise, I think it's because they take the silencers out."

Another resident, who did not want to be named, said: "There is a problem here. Bikers come down here regularly, mainly on those little ones. It is the noise which is the problem, they are so loud."

A spokesman for West Yorkshire police said: "We have no issue with off road bikers who are considerate and riding in the appropriate place, our concern is really around those who present a danger to themselves and others by riding in an illegal or anti-social manner."

e-mail: ali.davies@bradford.newsquest.co.uk

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