OFF-ROAD bike owners who use the vehicles illegally could have them seized by the police, as part of a crackdown on nuisance biking.
Officers from Greater Manchester Police have launched Operation Restore, in conjunction with trading standards, Bolton at Home, community safety services, environmental services and the fire service in a bid to stamp out the illegal practice.
Officers have already seized 50 illegal bikes in Bolton this year.
Mini-motos, scooters and quad bikes are classed at motor vehicles which require legal documents, including insurance and road tax, and a driver with a driver's licence, before they can be used on a public road. It is also illegal to drive them on private land, without the owner's permission.
The operation will target people involved in nuisance biking, inlcuding riders, their accomplices, parents and other adults who buy the machines.
People illegally supplying petrol, transporting bikes to open areas and landowners who play host to the activity will also be targetted.
The police have the power to fine or arrest peope involved and seize their machines.
Inspector Tony Kenyon, Neighbourhood Policing Inspector for Bolton East said: "These machines are often bought for young people as toys. However, nuisance from off-road motor vehicles being used illegally is having an increasing impact on communities across Bolton and there are serious concerns about the safety of riders and pedestrians.
"The increased accessibility of Neighbourhood Policing Teams means that we are getting more information from the community than ever about the activities of the illegal and anti social use of motor bikes and we are seizing more machines"
"We operate a door step seizure' procedure. This means that we act on information from the public and carry out raids on premises where illegal machines are stored. If you have a bike that is being used illegally you will get a knock on your door with a tow truck waiting to take the bike. The message is simple - use it and lose it'!"
He added: "We are not against people who engage in the off-road sport legally. Enforcement action will only be taken against illegal riders and drivers who pose a risk to residents and visitors to our borough who want to enjoy our open spaces in a safe and peaceful manner.
" There have been incidents of near-misses with motor bike on footpaths, serious and tragically some fatal accidents. We are advising anyone thinking of buying a bike to think long and hard."
