POLICE are carrying put extra patrols in part of County Durham to tackle a recent spate of incidents in which quad bike riders have been targeting farmland.

Durham police said riders have cut fencing and used quads to tear up farmland and crops at a number of farms in the Brancepeth, Brandon and New Brancepeth areas.

Officers suspect the activity may be linked to poaching and hare coursing, which is when dogs are used illegally to chase, catch and kill hares.

The Framwellgate Moor and Meadowfield neighbourhood policing team said it had been kept busy with reports of such incidents in recent days and vowed to continue evening patrols in a bid to protect property and catch the culprits.

Read more: County Durham man is part of team attempting record-breaking Atlantic row

A spokesperson said: “The riders of the quads have caused significant damage and the poaching activities are clearly illegal and are cruel to the animals being targeted.

“The Framwellgate Moor and Meadowfield Neighbourhood team along with colleagues from the response teams have been visiting the affected farms over the last few days and attempting to put in place measures to stop the quad riders.

"They have also been undertaking nighttime overt and covert patrols in an attempt to capture and deter the riders from this activity.

“Officers will remain undertaking activity in this area until the issues stop or the offenders are caught.”

Anyone with any information regarding this activity is asked to contact PCSO Daniel Winstanley from the Framwellgate Moor and Meadowfield Neighbourhood team on daniel. winstanley@durham.police.uk

Police suspect quad damaged caused to farms around Durham is linking to poaching and hare coursing

Police suspect quad damaged caused to farms around Durham is linking to poaching and hare coursing

Durham police said covert and overt patrols will continue in a bid to protect farms and catch the culprits

Keep up to date with all the latest news on our website, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

You can also follow our dedicated County Durham Facebook page for all the latest in the area by clicking here.

For all the top news updates from right across the region straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter here.

Have you got a story for us? Contact our newsdesk on newsdesk@nne.co.uk or contact 01325 505054