POLICE from four counties will be out in force when thousands of motorcyclists head for the region and the latest round of the British Superbikes Championship.

And they have warned in advance that they will be taking a tough line on speeding and reckless riding on riders heading to and from the Croft circuit near Darlington.

North Yorkshire officers will be joined on Saturday and Sunday by colleagues from the Durham, Cleveland and Cumbria forces in an effort to ensure an accident-free weekend.

They will be patrolling all the main routes into and out of Croft, as well as working together on rider education programmes and crime prevention operations at the circuit itself.

"We are putting a lot into this operation and we expect to get a lot out in terms of two great days of racing on the track enjoyed by thousands of fellow-riders who all get home without mishap," said Sergeant Pete Mason.

"Ninety-nine per cent of those coming to Croft want to enjoy riding on the region's great motorcycling roads, enjoy the racing and enjoy their journey home.

"But I am warning the one per cent who ride like idiots that we will catch them and we will deal with them very firmly."

Durham Constabulary's Chief Inspector Paul Goundry echoed his comments: "We will be very firm with anyone riding in a dangerous or antisocial manner.

"We ask visitors to respect the communities they are heading through and to respect other road-users - not least their fellow-riders. This should be a great weekend and we would hate anything to spoil that."

Force boundaries will become irrelevant as road policing officers across the region work together. They will use cars and bikes, roadside speed checks and extra patrols.

An Automatic Number Plate Recognition team will also be working on approach routes checking insurance details and also detecting criminals trying to enter the area under the cover of the extra traffic.

Officers will also be patrolling the circuit area and the car-parks during racing to deter criminals *Durham police are warning that the A66M, together with the A66 from the A66M to Neasham Road roundabout, and the A167 from Blands Corner roundabout through Croft to West Lane are expected to be severely congested between 7am and noon and between 4pm and 7pm on Sunday. They ask local residents to be aware and plan their journeys accordingly.