Woodland bikers told they'll be prosecuted (From Gazette Series)

Woodland bikers told they'll be prosecuted

MOTORCYCLISTS who ride in protected woodlands have been warned "you will be prosecuted and have your bikes destroyed."

The threat was issued by Stroud district councillor Brian Marsh as he spoke to the Gazette about the problem blighting local woods.

Cllr Marsh (Dursley, Liberal Democrat), who also sits on the Cam, Dursley and Uley Joint Woodland Committee, said the bike riders were putting lives at risk.

He said: ""People walk in those woods all the time, somebody is going to get killed soon.

"I saw two quad bikes racing through Twinberrow Woods over the Easter Bank Holiday weekend and they churned up all the flowers and caused lots of damage in the area. We planted 600 young trees not long ago and some of them have been destroyed.

"When you challenge the motorcyclists they just shout at you."

A spokesman for Gloucestershire Constabulary said officers would seize motorbikes that are used in an anti-social manner. The force has also urged riders to stick to local racetracks and private land if they have the permission of the landowner.

Stroud district councillor Janet Wood (Coaley and Uley, Independent), who chairs the woodland committee, has called for people to help combat the problem.

She said: "It can sometimes be hard to make out motorbike registrations in the mud but we encourage people to report sighting to the police immediately and people to use proper sights - like the scrambles held in Nympsfield."

If you see people riding motorbikes in the woods contact Gloucestershire police on 0845 090 1234 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.