Police in Three Rivers are issuing a warning to off-road bikers following reports of damage to farmland in the area.
PC Christian Gottmann, from the Rickmansworth and Croxley Green Safer Neighbourhood Team, said: “In recent weeks there have been instances of people riding dirt bikes through freshly seeded fields, damaging crops and causing unnecessary financial loss to our hard-working farmers.
“Unless you have permission to be on private farmland, riding there is trespassing. At present, no farmer in Three Rivers gives permission for anyone to be riding on their land.
“In addition, anti-social riding off road causes noise nuisance and poses a danger to both the rider and other members of the public.”
If you are caught riding illegally or anti-socially, police can issue a written ‘section 59’ warning under the Police Reform Act 2002. If you are caught again within the next 12 months, police have powers to seize your vehicle.
If offenders do not subsequently reclaim them and pay storage or recovery fees, their vehicles can be crushed.
Riders can also be reported for traffic offences be issued with Community Protection Warnings which set out conditions around their behaviour.
PC Gottmann continued: “Patrols have been increased and anyone caught riding anti-socially will be dealt with robustly.
“However, we also need the public’s help to identify those who are riding in this manner. If you see anyone, or have any information about who might be responsible, please contact police straight away.
“Please try and get a good description of the rider and the colour of the helmet, if they are wearing one, and make a note of any registration numbers.”
Information can be reported online or by calling the non-emergency number 101.
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