A weekend of activity across Cleveland’s rural areas as part of Operation Phoenix has resulted in illegal off-road bikes being dealt with.

Operation Phoenix is a summer-long operation to improve public service, help vulnerable people, tackle serious violence and prevent crime.

This weekend saw patrols carried out by officers, volunteers and Cleveland Fire Brigade on Eston Hills, in Dormanstown and Guisborough and on the River Tees alongside partners from the Environment Agency Fisheries Enforcement and local charity Tees River Rescue.

Several bikers were stopped in the area of Eston Hills, whereby notices were given to riders causing antisocial behaviour.

These bikers were then escorted off the hills.

If a second notice is issued to the same rider, the bike can then be seized.

The Fire Brigade also had a high visibility presence in the area, due to recent fires being started on the hills.

On the River Tees, boat patrols were carried out in conjunction with local charity Tees River Rescue.

The charity assisted a canoeist who had got into difficulty and she was transported to safety in Yarm.

Three other people were spoken to in connection with speeding on the river, whereby it was explained to them that their actions could put other boats and river users at risk.

The Environment Agency Fisheries Enforcement Officers visited a number of still water, river and coastal fisheries in the Cleveland area during the operation and six people were reported for offences.

Operation Checkpoint was carried out across the rural communities, which saw officers and volunteers raising awareness of crime prevention and offering reassurance.

PC Paul Payne said: “As part of Operation Phoenix we have carried out lots of activity in our rural areas over the weekend and the feedback we have received has been really positive.

“We will continue to carry out proactive activity for our rural communities throughout the rest of Operation Phoenix and beyond.”