Warning bikes could be crushed after drone pursuit

Warwickshire Police has warned it will not tolerate the use of off-road bikes on public footpaths.

The notice comes after the force followed a large group of young boys who had ridden on land near Bermuda Park railway station outside Nuneaton on Sunday.

Police used a drone to track the group who made their way "at speed on footpaths" through Griff Hollows and into woodland behind Griff Quarry.

The force described the boys' actions as "selfish, immature and dangerous" and said they risked penalty points being added to a future driving licence that would "likely be revoked immediately".

"The gloves are off, the choice is yours," the force warned.

Officers were "inches away" from detaining the group on Sunday, who did not realise they were been followed with a drone.

The police added that the motorcyclists' routes were now known and said action would be taken.

"A number of tactics [will be] deployed to stop you, remove you from your bikes, seize them, crush them and you will be given penalty points."

The force said it did not believe the bikes were stolen, however it would not allow off-road motorcyclists to continue to put the public at risk.

Its efforts are part of Operation Undertook which is aiming to crack down on the illegal and anti-social use of the motorbikes to reduce "fear and frustration" in communities.

The warning comes as the government's Crime and Policing Bill progresses through Parliament with the aim of enhancing police powers to deal with anti-social behaviour.

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