POLICE motorcycle patrols are being stepped up to tackle residents' complaints about youngsters on off-road motorbikes.

Cleveland Police have been given £9,000 of Neighbourhood Renewal Funding to pay for additional patrols.

Chief Inspector Ian Coates, of Langbaurgh police, said: "We have been concentrating on hotspot areas highlighted to us by local residents. Many of these off-road riders have little regard for the law or the environment and are intent on using these motorcycles illegally."

Trouble spots include Redcar sand dunes, Errington Woods, at Marske, Eston Hills, Guisborough Woods, the edge of the North Yorkshire Moors, old tips around Loftus and Lumpsey Pit, Brotton.

PC Andy Worsley, of Cleveland Police's motorcycle section, said: "People who ride off-road bikes on the roads and paths of council estates know very well they are not supposed to be there.

"We are spending a significant amount of time around the housing estates, in an attempt to clamp down on the problem.

"A lot of activities carried out by these people are dangerous, and the problem with off-road bikes is getting larger rather than smaller.

"We have had a number of fatalities, but what are often not reported are the number of near-misses.''

He said another problem involves legitimate motorbike-owning enthusiasts who ride across protected areas of land in the mistaken belief they are not breaking the law.

Gary Flynn, community safety manager with Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, said: "The partnership went about securing the funding in response to concerns from members of the public. We are investigating other measures and legislation which we hope to introduce to further reduce the problem."

Over a six-day operation, police recovered two stolen motorbikes, seized four machines whose riders had ignored previous warnings, spoke to 21 people about the illegal use of motor vehicles, issued 18 warning notices and summonsed nine people.

PC Steve Darby, of the motorcycle section, said: "The results reflect the size of the problem facing us. These are great results for the short period our motorcycles were utilised in Langbaurgh, but many people are still deliberately flouting the law.''