A hard-hitting film has hammered home the message that illegal off-road biking won’t be tolerated, after police announced the seizure of more than 130 bikes in the last 12 months as part of Operation Harley.

The Gwent Police film putting the brakes on off-roading shows a seized off-road bike being destroyed by a crusher - and bikers have been warned that this will be the outcome for their bike if they are caught.

There have been several reports of off-road biking in the local area over the last year, including on the Blorenge and around Keeper’s Pond, an incident last April where a sheepdog was hit and killed outside Parc-y-Brain Farm in Goytre, and Trellech Common.

Last December, people reported up to nine bikers scrambling on the east side of the Blorenge, which is a protected Site of Special Scientific Interest, causing damage to vegetation, including rare plants and mosses.

The force posted on Facebook: “Over the last year, #OpHarley has again put the focus on tackling anti-social driving and the illegal use of off-road vehicles.”

Police have cracked down on vehicles “being driven without insurance, registration or a licence, being driven dangerously, and being used on private land without the landowner’s permission.”

“Some of the offences have resulted in warnings, fines or vehicle seizures,” they added.

In the film, Inspector Aled George said: “We’re lucky to live and work in a beautiful part of the countryside, from the Blaenavon World Heritage site, to Trefill Quarry to the Twmbarlwm hilltop range.

“Illegal off-road biking causes great damage to the environment and community at all of these locations.

“It’s really important that people know the consequences, that we will seize vehicles wherever possible.

“But these operations aren’t just about seizing vehicles from those who ride them irresponsibly, it’s about discouraging people from doing it in the first place, making it much less socially acceptable and encouraging communities to share intelligence when these vehicles are being used.

“By doing that, our communities are able to protect the wildlife and make our roads safer.

“There are a full number of legal green lane routes available to off-roaders here in Gwent, and we would encourage people about looking to see where those routes are available.

“Finally, we would like to thank our partners who have continued to support our operations over the last 12 months and the public, whose reports have led to the fantastic results we have seen over this period.”

One man noted on the Facebook post: “There is an opportunity for local authorities/ concerned bodies to reopen some of the closed byways to give at least a controlled network across Gwent.

“Many of our byways have been closed over the past 30 years. Sensible legal off roaders should not be punished because of a minority.”