Police are upping efforts against those riding off-road bikes in an aggressive and anti-social manner and in the last week alone have seized five bikes which were being ridden recklessly on streets and green spaces.

As well as confiscating the bikes, they have issued warning notices to riders that further action will be taken if they’re caught doing the same again.

Police are also spreading the word among the community that anti-social off-road biking will not be tolerated and ate appealing to residents to play their part in preventing this by letting them know where and when it’s happening.

In Stevens Park, Wollescote, a known hotspot for off-road bikers, working alongside Dudley Council’s parks officer, posters were installed making it clear that this activity is strictly prohibited and instructing people on how to report it. Efforts have been supported by the Friends of Stevens Park, a group of local volunteers who work in their own free time to help make the park an open and welcoming space for residents and visitors alike.

More signs will be installed in other parks and open spaces across Dudley in coming weeks. Neighbourhood policing officer PC Jess Impey said:

“We’ve been working hard to tackle off-road bikes being ridden carelessly around our streets, parks and other spaces as we know this behaviour really upsets and sometimes even scares residents.

“Thanks to the great efforts of my colleague Sergeant John Norgrove and his neighbourhood team, several bikes have been seized from the Lye area recently. We’ll continue to act against any reckless riders we spot while we’re out and about on patrol.

"We’re also looking for the public to help us as well by letting us know who is using these bikes and where they’re being kept.

“The posters we’re putting up should make it easier for people to report anti-social off-road biking to us and we were delighted to help the council’s parks officer to display them."

Information about bike-related anti-social behaviour rcan be reported via West Midlands Police's website or by calling 101 or contact independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.