New joint operation targets off-road motorbikes
In a continued effort to tackle illegal off-road motorbikes being ridden on the Pennine Moorland surrounding Rossendale and Rochdale, Lancashire Constabulary and Greater Manchester Police carried out a joint operation on Saturday 26th October 2024.
The operation focused on addressing the environmental damage, livestock disturbance, and resident disruption caused by unauthorised off-roading activities. This collaborative effort included support from volunteers, local farmers, Rossendale Borough Council and United Utilities, who share concerns over the negative impact illegal off-roading has on the peat moorland and surrounding communities.
Lancashire Police and Greater Manchester Police have intensified their focus on tackling this issue following increased concerns from residents in the local area. Enforcement measures have included issuing Community Protection Warnings, prosecuting riders and drivers unlawfully using the moorland, vehicle seizures, and conducting drink and drug driving checks to ensure individuals do not operate vehicles under the influence of alcohol or drugs. These checked have resulted in several arrests.
PC Dan Haworth from the Rossendale Rural Task Force said: “This activity can cause significant concerns for residents, and much of it is carried out by individuals traveling into Lancashire and Manchester from other regions.
“We will continue to address the issue and work with our partners to ensure safety for residents and the environment alike.”
Rossendale Borough Council Chief Executive, Rob Huntington, said: “We take incidents of illegal off-roading on our moorlands very seriously, as they threaten our environment, disrupt local communities, and endanger wildlife. We are fully committed to working with our partners to prevent these activities from continuing, and to ensure that those caught are dealt with firmly and appropriately.”
The results from the operation included two formal warnings being issued and three off-road bikes being seized under the Police Reform Act 2002. Officers also carried out proactive vehicle checks in the moorland area, which resulted in a 26-year-old man from Manchester being arrested on suspicion of being in charge of a motor vehicle whilst unfit through drugs.
Lancashire Police are urging individuals interested in off-road biking or driving 4x4s or quad bikes to use the legal off-roading facilities available in Rossendale, which provide designated areas for these activities. Riding off-road bikes and driving other off-road vehicles is illegal without proper authorisation.
Op Centurion is a county-wide crackdown on anti-social behaviour, led by Lancashire Constabulary and backed by Police and Crime Commissioner Clive Grunshaw, delivering his priority of getting tough on anti-social behaviour, with the support of our partners.