POLICE will continue to crackdown on irresponsible bikers who annoy residents in neighbouring towns.

Beat officers have joined forces with Durham Constabulary's motorbike and traffic squads to target nuisance bikers in Newton Aycliffe and Shildon.

The move comes after a number of complaints by residents about children and adults riding quad bikes and motorcycles in unauthorised areas. Motorists of all ages have been seen riding off-road, on public footpaths, private land and communal areas, and police fear an accident could happen.

Officers will continue to patrol hotspots such as Williamfield Way and Kemble Green, in Newton Aycliffe, and Queens Way and Middridge Lane, in Shildon.

Anyone found riding a motorbike in an anti-social manner faces a warning or the bike could be seized and destroyed.

Two similar operations were carried out during which five bikes were seized and 13 warning notices issued.

Acting Sergeant Simon Rogers, of the Newton Aycliffe beat team, said: "Little kids, teenagers and adults riding quad bikes and motor cycles all plague people when they ride off-road and on public footpaths.

"A lot of it is down to ignorance. Some people think that if they can find a plot of wasteland they can ride on it.

"This is not the case and unless you have permission from the landowner you cannot ride on it."

Anyone who rides any vehicle on a road must have a licence, be insured and have paid road tax.

People driving or riding motorbikes off-road, without permission of the landowner, are committing an offence of driving without lawful authority and could be prosecuted for driving in a careless or inconsiderate manner.

The crackdown is part of a force-wide Streetsafe initiative, which was launched to combat anti-social behaviour and nuisance crime.

Police are urging people who can identify those responsible for riding quad and motorbikes irresponsibly off-road to get in touch.

Acting Sgt Rogers can be contacted at Newton Aycliffe police station, by calling 0845 606 0365.