OFFICIALS from the North York Moors National Park Authority are stepping up their fight against off-road 4x4 drivers who are causing increasing damage to the moors and tracks.

A number of action days have been organised to crack down on drivers in the worst-hit areas.

During the latest operation, police, park rangers and Forestry Commission staff confronted 16 trail bikers and four 4x4 drivers.

They also gave advice to the parents of several children using mini quad bikes in a public place, seized an uninsured bike from a 15-year-old rider and stopped a driver from tying an inflatable dinghy to the back of a 4x4 to tow people around a car park.

Richard Gunton, the park’s director of recreation and park management, said: “The aim of the days is to offer face-to-face advice to recreational riders and drivers but also to take necessary enforcement action in cases of blatant disregard of the law.

“As well as speaking to riders and drivers about lawful and unlawful routes in the North York Moors, it is hoped a visible presence will help deter illegal off-roaders who are causing substantial damage to the moorland and its wildlife and are making some routes impassable for other users of the National Park.”

The action days are part of an anti-social behaviour working group that meets regularly to tackle issues such as poaching, fly-tipping and illegal camping and involves representatives of the park authority, police, other emergency services, the Highways Agency, Forestry Commission, landowners and district councils.

Mr Gunton said: “Illegal off-roading is ruining some areas of the North York Moors.

“The moorland is quite a fragile environment and off-road vehicles churn up the ground creating deep ruts that make it difficult for people to walk, cycle or ride along.

“It also disturbs livestock and nesting birds, destroys rare plants and flowers and can ruin visitors’ experiences of what is on the whole a tranquil area.

“There are routes in the National Park where people can use off-road vehicles and we would ask that people stick to these as we fully intend to take enforcement action against anyone found repeatedly riding or driving where they’re not supposed to.”

The National Park Authority has produced guidelines for people wanting to ride motorcycles off-road which can be found at www.moors.uk.net under activities or by phoning 01439 770657.

The Motoring Organisations’ Land Access and Recreation Association (LARA) has also developed codes of good practice for recreational driving and riding in the countryside which is available at www.laragb.org.