AN off-road riding clampdown could be to the mutual benefit of riders and those who regard motor bikes as an unwanted nuisance.

That's the view of the police officer who masterminded his team's joint operation with Wigan Council and the Forestry Commission in which motorcycle riders from 10 year-olds to those in their mid-30s were targeted riding illegally on tracks and fields in the Leigh, Tyldesley and Astley areas.

Now Inspector Ian Kennedy says further monitoring is planned to stop illegal riding and hopefully channel the activity into an area acceptable to everybody.

In the second of two operations mounted following complaints by residents in the Gin Pit and Higher Folds areas ,14 people on dirt bikes were stopped and had their details taken and machines checked. Environmental health officers issued noise nuisance notices and warned riders their machines could be seized. Forestry Commission officers issued notices to those stopped warning them to keep off the tracks running across Red Rose Forest land.

Sprawling

Now consideration is being given to earmarking a suitable area on the sprawling Red Rose Forest site where machines could be used safely under supervision and without causing annoyance to others.

But Inspector Kennedy explained: "This operation was not just about enforcement. The idea is to stop illegal activity but we will be contacting those we have stopped to invite them to come to a local meeting and discuss how we can get around the problem.

"If they are going to ride they need to do so lawfully and properly. We want feedback from them. This is about a long term solution acceptable to everyone and would mean a partnership with the riders themselves becoming involved in running the scheme."

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