Lancashire Police have launched a new operation to crack down on motorbikes speeding through rural towns and villages.

Named Operation Sawfish, the action will run every weekend throughout the summer to tackle those driving dangerously, with officers out patrolling in rural areas and engaging with riders who feel they need more education on bike safety, correct kit or road safety.

Enforcement such as issuing tickets will be used where necessary.

Three tickets were issued this weekend (May 20-21) by officers patrolling in the Lune Valley, including one to somebody riding a bike with an illegally altered exhaust.

Insp Rob Conolly-Perch, of Lancashire’s roads policing team, said: “Many of our roads policing team are bikers themselves and know how enjoyable it is getting out and about in summer, making the most of nicer weather and longer days. We want to make clear this operation is absolutely not about stopping anyone from doing that.

“However, members of our rural communities have consistently reported bikers driving dangerously and putting people at risk, and those people are the focus of this operation.

“We will we out and about, stopping anyone driving dangerously. We will be stopping at popular biker rest stops to check peoples’ kits and bike roadworthiness.

“We know the majority of those we speak to will have all their paperwork in order and will be driving legally and safely, but hopefully this will act as a deterrent to those who believe they don’t need to follow the rules of the road.”