| Bike seized after illegal off-road exploits |
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Partnership working in north east Wales has resulted in the warning, fining and prosecution of illegal off-road users along with the confiscation and potential disposal of a vehicle on the Llantysilio Mountains - a designated Special Area of Conservation. Operations by North Wales Police, Denbighshire County Council’s Countryside Service, Countryside Council for Wales and the Forestry Commission, are arranged throughout the year to catch, educate and prosecute offenders. The upland moorlands of the Llantysilio and Berwyn Mountains are of international importance, containing a patchwork of heather, bilberry and gorse. Heather moorland is associated with a number of animals and plants of high conservation value, which include Blanket Bog a very fragile peatland habitat; and birds such as hen harrier, merlin and black grouse. It is also a valuable agricultural resource used by many graziers. Many acres of this habitat have been completely destroyed, along with damage to the Iron Age hillfort of Moel y Gaer and the Bronze Age burial mound of Moel Gamelin- around 5000 years old. There is a network of roads suitable for road-legal off-road capable vehicles. Following the most recent operation involving the Police helicopter, which resulted in the arrest of an offender and the seizure of the bike, authorities are encouraging other off-road users to check that they remain on legal routes. This information can be found on Ordnance Survey maps and through local authorities. Un-road registered bike users are encouraged to join clubs and enter organised events or use their nearest official practice track. Driving or riding on the open moorland is a criminal offence and the North Wales Police are actively pursuing offenders. A Police Officer, with reasonable grounds to believe that bikes are or have been ridden elsewhere than on a road, may stop the rider and following the issue of a warning, seize and remove the vehicle. Nick Critchley, Moorland Field Officer for the Heather and Hillforts Project in north east Wales, commented “Heather moorland is a fragile habitat and very susceptible to damage by off road vehicles. Visitors to the area are encouraged to take the police incident number with them in their mobile phones and report illegal activity to the police.” Arfon Hughes, Berwyn team leader for the Countryside Council for Wales (CCW) commented “The Internationally important Berwyn and South Clwyd Mountains Special Area of conservation (SAC) receives significant amounts of public finance through CCW’s management agreements and the Welsh Assembly Government’s Tir Gofal agri-environment agreements to ensure long term sustainable management of the habitats and associated species. Damage from illegal trespassing can prevent the recovery of the moorland, and in the worst cases, can even destroy it. We would ask Motorbike and 4x4 vehicle owners to undertake their activities responsibly.” Insp Dewi Roberts of North Wales Police said: "North Wales Police have worked in partnership with the other agencies as this activity is detrimental not only to the environment but to the peaceful enjoyment by others of our countryside. We will be carrying on with our enforcement campaign and welcome any assistance and information from the community to bring this illegal activity to an end". Anyone witnessing illegal activity in north Wales should report it to the police on (welsh language: 0845 6071001). The three year Heather and Hillforts Project is developing a £2.3 million initiative for upland conservation work and has received a grant of £1.5 million from the Heritage Lottery Fund. A major aspect of the project is to repair damage made by off-road trespass. The cost of this repair runs into thousands of pounds and the work will begin this autumn. The Law:
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