Sergeant Stuart Grainger and area ranger Matt Neale

National park rangers have teamed up with police to tackle illegal off-roading after an incident in which two Land Rovers smashed through drystone walls to escape a police officer.

The incident happened last month when two drivers of the vehicles were found travelling illegally on a bridleway near Settle in the Yorkshire Dales.

PC Harry Carpenter of North Yorkshire Police said: “I was told by members of the public that there were a number of four-wheel drive vehicles in Banks Lane so I went up there on foot.

“I saw five vehicles there but, unfortunately, when I got to with a couple of hundred metres of them, two of them left the scene, smashing their way through the drystone walls to escape. They went on to Langcliffe High Road and rejoined the main road there.

“The drivers of the other three vehicles have been spoken to.”

The illegal use of 4×4 vehicles and trail bikes in the Dales causes more complaints from the public than any other recreation matter.

Now, rangers from the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority have stepped up joint patrols to tackle the problem.

The patrols are aimed at educating trail riders and 4×4 users about where they can and cannot legally go, as well as taking action against illegal off-roaders and people using vehicles that are not roadworthy.

The authority said the vast majority of trail riders and 4×4 users in the national park drive legally and responsibly. However, a small number of irresponsible users cause considerable problems and damage the reputation of all motor vehicle users.

Motorbikes have been seen leaving public rights of way and causing damage to surrounding land and disturbing stock in Upper Wensleydale and a number of complaints have also been received from members of the public in Coverdale and Malhamdale about the activity.

Ranger Matt Neale said: “The use of off-road vehicles in the countryside is one of the most contentious recreational issues facing the national park.

“We receive more correspondence on this matter than any other recreational activity.

“The majority of visitors come to the national park to experience the special qualities of the area and to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Illegal motor vehicular use can impinge on this.

“There can also be environmental damage caused by vehicles leaving legal routes and attempting to traverse sensitive habitats such as peat moorland. This can cause severe, long-term damage.”

Sergeant Stuart Grainger from the Leyburn and Dales police team said: “We are not opposed to the lawful and responsible use of off-road vehicles and motorbikes and the national park or the Trail Riders Fellowship are able to advise off-roaders about the acceptable routes to use.

“But due to the volume of complaints I have received regarding environmental damage and nuisance, we are now regularly working alongside our national park colleagues to take action against those who use or ride their vehicles in an antisocial manner, or in places where vehicles are not permitted.

“This includes bridleways and footpaths, routes closed by traffic regulation orders, common land, and private land where the express permission of the landowner has not been obtained.

“Offenders risk substantial fines and having their vehicles confiscated.”

This year, these joint patrols have stopped and checked more than 50 trail riders and 4×4s. Police also issued warnings to the owners of several off-road motorcycles that were being used irresponsibly near Semer Water in Raydale.