POLICE have put the brakes on off-road bikers using parks and footpaths as speedway tracks.

Operation Obey is an intelligence-led enforcement to stop off-road riders persistently riding in public areas.

Community police teams together with council wardens and countryside officers will concentrate on hotspot areas including public parks and school fields in Grangetown, Eston and South Bank.

PC Lee Derbyshire, of Cleveland Police's Langbaurgh District, said: "Irresponsible riders are becoming a nuisance to residents.

"Not only does the public have to live with damage to recreation grounds and footpaths, but they also have to suffer the noise pollution from these bikes.

"This kind of anti-social behaviour is becoming detrimental to the quality of life for people living in the area.

"Above all, these riders are a danger to the public and also to themselves. Most of the riders fail to wear the correct helmets, do not use lights and appear to show no regard for public safety."

Operation Obey will run from March 26 until April 3.