Illegal off-roading can cause serious damage to wildlife

The country's four forces launched a crackdown on Sunday of off-roaders who damage private land and sites of special scientific interest (SSI).

Their vehicles could be seized if they do not heed warnings to stop.

North Wales Police stopped about 15 drivers, some towing motorbikes on trailers, in four hours of an operation at the Horseshoe Pass, Denbighshire.

The beauty spot is part of the Berwyn Mountains SSI, whose protected moors provide ideal habitat for rare birds such as the hen harrier and the black grouse.

Sergeant Pete Charleston, who was part of the Horseshoe Pass operation, said most of the motorists were local but one had come from Birmingham.

"I wasn't surprised myself but it has forced home the fact that people are travelling long distances to carry out this activity," he added.

Illegal off-roaders could have their vehicles seized by police

"Off-roading becomes illegal when people carry it out without the permission of the landowner or where they are damaging sites of special scientific interest.

"Here it can disturb those birds in their nesting period and it also damages the fragile heathland and moorland.

"We've spoken to a number of people who have arrived with intent to go off-roading illegally, we've been giving them advice and raising awareness."

Sgt Charleston said the crackdown was aimed at stopping people before they went off-roading illegally, but that police had the power to seize vehicles from riders and drivers if they were caught illegally off-roading after being warned twice.

He said officers could also seize vehicles on the spot if they deemed the way they were being ridden or driven was "substantially inappropriate".

"We need to put the message across that illegal off-roading is an issue for the police," Sgt Charleston added.