POLICE have launched a crackdown on irresponsible off-road riders in an attempt to improve safety and cut down traffic noise and nuisance.

Working with West Middlesbrough Neighbourhood Trust (WMNT), Operation Scooter is tackling the problem of people riding anything from motorised scooters to quad bikes through residential areas and causing damage.

Margaret Allinson, chairwoman of WMNT's risk management group, said: "As a resident of the area myself, it is reassuring to see this problem being tackled head-on, to show that we won't tolerate people acting so irresponsibly.

"It's not just the constant noise that is causing distress to residents, but these riders are also causing untold damage to our green spaces and spoiling them for other people."

Extra police patrols - in unmarked vehicles - have been funded by WMNT to focus on the areas of green space around Whinney Banks to target offenders.

Officers can now issue a Section 59 warning notice to anyone caught driving in a way that could cause alarm, distress or annoyance. If they are caught driving in this way again - in any vehicle - it can be seized.

Sergeant Simon Edwards, from Cleveland Police's community team, said: "People should be aware of Section 59 Notices and the impact they are already having on communities for the better.

"We also want to send out a clear message to parents to stop buying motorbikes and motorised scooters for their kids, unless they have somewhere safe to ride them. Thanks to Operation Scooter, there is nowhere to hide for anyone riding carelessly."

Since Operation Scooter started at the end of April, five Section 59 notices have been served in the area