GWENT police joined forces with Natural Resource Wales and Trail Rider Fellowship for Operation Woodland to target illegal and anti-social off-road biking at the weekend.

Officers carried out an ‘Action day’ targeting Blorenge Mountain, Sugarloaf Mountain and the Crucorney Valley. Fifteen off road bikers were located and spoken to by officers and TRF volunteers.

Operation Woodland lead officer, PC Chris Butt, said, ‘This was a new approach to try and locate and engage with off road bikers and I am extremely pleased with the response we had from the bikers and members of the public we spoke to during the operation.

‘This will be an ongoing initiative to try and reduce the problem of illegal and anti-social off road biking – something that is a big concern to many rural residents.

‘I understand the frustration that bikers feel about the perceived lack of places for them to legally enjoy off-roading, however, this is no excuse to break the law.

‘Going forward, we will be working with our partners and the local authority to identify and sign post areas where bikers can ride legally’.