POLICE are increasing patrols in Pinehurst and Gorse Hill to clamp down on irresponsible motorbike riding.

Officers want to prevent riders from travelling across fields on their vehicles.

Last year, seven motorbikes were seized in the area during the summer, when fines worth a total of £1,690 were issued to offenders.

“Using motorbikes on the fields is illegal, and dangerous for the rider and the public who use these areas,” a Wiltshire Police spokesperson said.

“Very often the bikes that we have seized turned out to be stolen.

“In partnership with Swindon Borough Council’s anti-social behaviour team and neighbourhood housing team, additional barriers have now been placed around field entrances.

"This will hopefully deter bikers from using the area and assist us catching the offenders.

“In addition, We will be continuing to use the CCTV network in the area to catch offenders and, on the green areas where there have not been cameras in the past, we will be using discreet deployable cameras, which can be used in fields and wooded areas and are very inconspicuous and should provide some good evidence.”

Wiltshire Police is urging the public to report any incidents of this nature by calling 101.