A CLAMPDOWN on nuisance motorbike and quad bike riders in Burnley has seen more than half a dozen issued with official warnings.

Resident and councillors in Rosegrove and Lowerhouse have become fed-up with teenagers and adults, some aged up to 30, plaguing rural routes around the districts.

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Now neighbourhood police in the west of the town have teamed up with council officers to issue a series of ‘community protection notices’ to the worst offenders.

If the rogue riders continue to defy the notices then they face court action and fines of up to £2,500 from magistrates.

Cllr Bea Foster, who represents Rosegrove with Lowerhouse ward on Burnley Council and is also, said the issue had been repeatedly raised at police community action meetings for months.

The problems have centred on areas such as the Padiham to Rosegrove greenway, Berkeley Hills, land on the Stoops estate and around rural Rosegrove.

“We have worked with Lancashire Police, Calico and the council’s green spaces team to get something done, before we decided on this course of action,” said Cllr Foster.

“Our ward is surrounding by green spaces, which is wonderful, but these motorbikes and quad bikes are causing a real nuisance.

“We want to make the area safer and have chosen to take some action now, before the good days come along and the problem gets worse.”

Supporting the move one resident, Chris Jefferson said on Burnley Police’s Facebook site: “I’m all for these toys. I’ve always been into cars myself and members of my family love motorbikes.

“The problem is parents buy their children these bikes, but then can’t be bothered to take them to a proper track and use them properly.

“They would rather let them ride around the streets, on pavements which is dangerous to the public, and cause a nuisance. People don’t want to sit in their house or garden listening to these bikes.”

A Lancashire Police spokesman said: “In response to concerns from local residents in the Rosegrove with Lowerhouse area the neighbourhood policing team, working together with Burnley Borough Council, has taken action to address nuisance motorbikes being illegally ridden off road.

“Community protection notice warnings have been issued to several individuals.”