Faulds Brow, Caldbeck. Photo: Rose and Trev Clough CC-BY-SA-2.0

Police are warning off-roaders they will clamp down on the illegal use of bikes and 4×4s on the Lake District fells.

Cumbria Constabulary said it had received reports of trail-bike riders using routes in the North of the national park, and riders have been stopped and spoken to.

Illegal off-roading had been highlighted as a problem in the southern area of the Lake District, but after incidents occurred in the North, police have been working with other agencies and the community to tackle the problem in all areas.

PC Chris Blain said: “Police officers work together with local communities and are part of a multi-agency group to try and reduce the number of incidents and offences being reported to us.

“We are all committed to combating the issue of irresponsible riders and drivers who take part in illegal off-roading. In the past two weeks, police officers have stopped riders in the Faulds Brow area of Caldbeck, who have been riding illegally and given words of advice.

“We know there will be no quick fixes, but there is a determination across police, local communities and partner agencies to clamp down on this issue because of the danger it presents and the distress it causes.”

Faulds Brow lies on the northern fringe of the national park, just west of the village of Caldbeck.

The message is also being emphasised by trail-bike groups who have built good relationships with landowners and communities to carry on the tradition of organised events and legal activity in the Lake District national park.

Pete Barron, a park management ranger for the national park, said: “We recognise that the vast majority of trail riders take care and ride responsibly and courteously. However, there are a number of riders in the northern Lakes area that get involved in illegal riding.

“We are working with the police, the community and local bike trail groups to try and get the message across, that this will not be tolerated.”

PC Blain added: “Cumbria police and partner agencies will be out on the fells to detect and report incidents but we also appeal to all walkers to be vigilant and record any details of people you suspect to be riding or driving illegally and report your suspicions to us on 0845 33 00 247.”

Riders are also being urged to contact organised groups such as the Trail Riders Fellowship for advice on legal off-roading  and research where the Lake District’s green roads are before heading out onto the fells or in the national park. The information can be found on the Cumbria County Council website.