Thames Valley Police have been patrolling popular routes and stopping those caught riding carelessly, dangerously or with excessive speed.

The move is aimed at cutting the number of serious accidents involving bikers.

The force claims the number of motorcyclists killed has dropped - six since January 2004, compared to 24 this time last year.

'Persecuting motorcyclists'

Superintendent Neil Olney, head of roads policing, said: "The figures so far this year are very promising but we will not be complacent. This is not about persecuting motorcyclists.

"We do not want to stop people's enjoyment of going out on a ride. We simply want them to arrive home safely."

The safety campaign called Operation Triumph involves officers from Thames Valley, Sussex, Surrey, Hampshire, Kent and the Metropolitan police.

Earlier this month, an AA Motoring Trust report named the A422 as one of Britain's "riskiest" roads.

The study revealed 63% of the accidents on the A422, between Brackley and Banbury in Oxfordshire, involved motorbikes.