Crackdown on 'irresponsible and inconsiderate' motorbike riders

Four people have been warned about motorbike disorder in the past two weeks as police continue to crackdown on the issue.

Concerns have been raised about off-road motorbikes ridden 'irresponsibly, inconsiderately and illegally' across Washington and Houghton.

Earlier this year a teenager received a youth caution for driving a quad bike on a public road. In April, a man was found guilty at Newcastle Crown Court for criminal damage - caused by a quad bike he was riding. The bike was driven up and down public roads in the Philadelphia area. The court requested the bike was crushed.

A man has also been reported for summons for riding a quad bike on a public road with no insurance and no driving licence. Another man has received a fine of more than £500 and 6 points on his driving licence.

In the past two weeks the team has issued four section 59 notices.

• A section 59 notice warns the individual they have been identified as responsible for motorbike disorder through their irresponsible and inconsiderate behaviour and if they continue they could end up in court and have their bike seized and crushed.

Police are also reminding off-road motorbike riders it is illegal for them to ride their bike on public land or private land without the landowners permission. Without the landowners permission off-road motorbikes should only be ridden at an official off-road motorbike track.