Police have received complaints from residents about bikers using a grassed area next to Hilltop Farm, off Broomside lane in Belmont.

Officers from the off-road motorcycle section will be making regular patrols and issuing warning notices to riders.

If they ignore warnings, they will have their bikes seized.

The land is owned by Ramside Hall and police say the noise and disruption has increased since the summer holidays started.

Extra reassurance

Beat officer Pc Gordon Stuart said: "We know that there are about half-a-dozen main culprits who are coming from Sherburn village and the surrounding area.

"They are using this land, which is privately owned, mainly on weekday evenings and weekends and we are determined to put a stop to this."

The operation is being carried out under Durham Constabulary's StreetSafe initiative, which was launched in May to tackle anti-social behaviour, tackle low-level crime and provide extra reassurance to local people.

Earlier this year, the force launched a crackdown on problems caused by 'boy racers' both in cars and on bikes. In the last six months, 13 motorcycles have been seized across the county and dozens of warning notices issued.