2,500 gallons of cow slurry spread on Pleasington fields after off-road bikers ruin grass

Police have been dealing with anti-social motorbike riders on Pleasington playing fields for weeks, and have also had numerous reports relating to off-road and quad bikes being ridden in a dangerous or careless manner both on the roads and other public land in and around Blackburn. 

Earlier today, officers stated that they had seen groups of riders, wearing balaclavas, riding on the roads and footpaths, pulling wheelies and not complying with traffic lights, without any regard for other road users.

The bikes have caused significant damage to the playing fields at Pleasington, which have just been refurbished ahead of the new football season, with the land becoming a bit of an un-official circuit for the riders.

Do you know who these people are?

Damage to the pathways has been caused and worn away all the grass that was present before.

This afternoon a farmer in the area donated 2,500 gallons of cow slurry to help add nutrients to the damaged area which will hopefully encourage regrowth of the natural pasture.

Blackburn neighbourhood police sergeant, Sgt Steve Dundon, said: "The summer is well and truly upon us and the better weather often brings an increase in reports of anti-social motorbike nuisance.

"This is a priority for your local policing team as we have received numerous reports from members of the public members relating to off-road and quad bikes being ridden in a dangerous or careless manner both on the roads and other public land.

"These riders have caused significant damage to the playing fields at Pleasington, that have recently been under refurbishment ahead of the new season.

"We have also seen groups of riders, wearing balaclavas, who are riding on the roads without any regard for other road users, often pulling wheelies and riding on footpaths and not complying with traffic lights and other road signs.

"The bikes are not insured, the riders are often too young to even have driving licences and it is only a matter of time before there is an accident involving these bikes and someone is seriously hurt or worse.

"We are working with our partners and have some plans in place to disrupt some of this riding and also prevent access to some commonly used areas, so watch this space."

The farmer spreading his slurry

If anyone has any information about who is responsible for this anti-social riding or where these bikes are being kept when not being ridden then please contact the neighbourhood team at 7404@lancashire.police.uk

To best help police they ideally need a detailed description of the bikes and riders and if possible, video/photographic evidence.

Sgt Dundon added: "We appreciate that at times it can be time consuming to call 101 but we really do need our community to report incidents to assist us in stopping this anti-social behaviour."

If it is not an emergency you can also report online at https://orlo.uk/XTqHa or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555111