Joint force to tackle off road crime

Organisations throughout South Lakeland have come together to try to solve the problem of illegal ’off-road’ activity on the fells and agricultural land, especially in the southern area of the national park.

The partnership is warning 4x4 drivers and motor bike users that not only is this activity illegal, dangerous, inconsiderate to other users and damaging to the environment, it could finally result in their vehicles being seized by the police.

Inspector Kevin Spedding of Cumbria Constabulary said that as well as the obvious commission of offences there was also a negative and unacceptable impact on the quality of life of local residents and visitors.

’Cumbria Constabulary is committed to working with local communities and partner agencies in combating the minority of irresponsible riders and drivers who indulge in illegal off-road activity. Anyone with any information as to the offenders identity or information in relation to offences being committed can ring us on 0845 3300247,’ he added.

National Park Management Ranger David Pickup, said that partners ’ including Cumbria Police, Natural England, the Forestry Commission, motorcycle user groups, parish councils, and local community representatives ’ want to combat the problem of an irresponsible minority of people who are using motor vehicles on common land and the fells instead of using legal highways.

’These activities are causing damage to agricultural land, important wildlife habitats and causing disturbance and distress to local communities and safety of other countryside users and visitors. We know there will be no quick fixes, but there is a determination across all parties to combat this issue in any way they can,’ he added.

The partnership was formed in response to the local community’s concern and frustration that this issue was not being tackled effectively.

A spokesman for the Campaign Against Rogue Motorcycling said: ’Feet on the ground and eyes on the fells can make a vital contribution towards controlling the problem of rogue motorcycling, and we are appealing to all walkers to observe, record and to report to the police any incident of illegal riding of motorbikes on bridleways, footpaths or the open fell that you witness.’

This illegal use is also of great concern to off-road user groups who have worked hard to build up good relations with landowners and communities to carry on the long history and tradition of organised events and legal activity in the Lake District National Park.

Cumbria Group of the Trail Riders Fellowship, the organisation for those who ride road legal motorcycles on legal highways, supports the initiative.

’We, and the vast majority of trail riders, take care to ride responsibly and courteously, recognising that we share Cumbria, and the national park, with those who make their living here and those who come for leisure and recreation. We are very upset that a small minority of ’bandits’ sully our image and cause such aggravation.’

New warning signs will now be posted on a number of locations reminding those involved that their activity is illegal and that they are committing a criminal offence, which could lead to them facing a fixed penalty fine and losing their vehicle.