POLICE in North Yorkshire are launching their toughest crackdown on rogue motorcyclists in a bid to cut accidents on some of the county's most picturesque roads.

Bikers who treat routes as racetracks are being targeted as part of new measures to reduce the number of deaths and serious injuries.

Last year, one in three road deaths in North Yorkshire was a bike rider or pillion passenger. This was in spite of an acclaimed Bike Safe scheme.

Police now say enough is enough and a strict enforcement regime will replace education and persuasion tactics.

High-profile patrols and special action days are being brought into force, with officers focusing on roads with records of serious accidents or complaints of anti-social riding behaviour. These will include the notorious B1257 which links Stokesley and Helmsley and which has been dubbed "the TT" because of the way bikers speed along the route.

Certain roads in the Dales suffering similar problems will also be targeted.

Efforts will be made to fast-track the worst offenders through the courts and police will use new confiscation powers to get bikes off the roads.

"The worst offenders could lose their licences within weeks," said Supt Martin Deacon, head of road policing.

"One burst of speed madness could cost a rider the use of his machine for months - not to mention a hefty fine."

Assistant chief constable David Collins said: "Residents and visitors alike are suffering damage to the quality of their lives because of a minority of riders and unacceptable numbers of bikers are being killed and seriously hurt.

"This cannot continue."

The summer-long blitz has the backing of the county's highways and road safety officers and these departments will work alongside police.

Last year, 28 motorcyclists died in North Yorkshire and 180 were seriously hurt. Yet motorbikes account for only 2pc of the county's traffic.

North Yorkshire also has a disproportionately higher death rate because the twisting roads of the Dales and Moors attract large numbers of leisure riders.

Supt Deacon said: "We want riders to come to North Yorkshire, but we expect them to ride safely, within the law.

"Those who ignore this message can expect to be dealt with severely and in some cases we will ask the courts to impose driving bans."