POLICE are continuing to target illegal off-road motorcyclists in the Gateshead West and Newcastle West area commands.

Gateshead West, covering large rural areas which have in the past attracted riders, has seen a 34 per cent decrease in complaints in the past three years.

Chief Inspector Ralph Logan, said: "This has been a two-fold problem for us in Gateshead West.

"As well as annoyance caused to residents, mainly by young people with often illegal or stolen motorbikes, we also have a group of more mature adults, many from outside the area, who see off-road motorcycling as a genuine leisure pursuit and do not believe they are breaking the law."

Officers are continuing to work closely with local authorities to develop long term strategies to deal with the problem.

Chief Insp Logan said: "People need to know that if they are stopped or identified riding bikes off-road on public land they are committing criminal offences and we will seek to enforce the law."