TECHNOLOGY is set to be brought in to tackle illegal off-road motorcycle riders, in what has been described as a radical change to how the offences are policed.

Durham Police, Crime and Victims Commissioner Ron Hogg has told a full meeting of Darlington Borough Council that next year will see “a totally new approach” to the issue which residents, particularly those living near the River Skerne, say affects their quality of life.

Mr Hogg said alongside education and media campaigns and bolstering links to community intelligence, the plan was for police to start using drones to track and identify offenders.

He added he was optimistic about funding from a multi-agency partnership for DNA spray, which can be aimed by officers at suspected illegal and antisocial scrambler bikes, as well as at mopeds and motorbikes involved in other crimes such as robberies, assaults and smash and grab raids.

The DNA spray, which has previously been used as a crime prevention strategy for businesses and residential properties, marks the bikes, clothing and skin of any riders and passengers with a uniquely-coded, but invisible DNA that will provide forensic evidence to link them to a specific crime.

Mr Hogg told the meeting: “Off-road motorcycles is an ongoing problem and continues to be addressed. It remains a main target for the Neighbourhood Policing team in Darlington.”