Vehicles Seized in Illegal Off Roading Crackdown

Several vehicles have been seized following a crackdown on illegal off-roading and associated activity.

Over the weekend North Wales Police joined forces with Natural Resources Wales and Denbighshire County Council to tackle the issue of illegal off-roading. The operation, the second in a series designed to tackle the issue, saw teams of officers deployed around several areas in the Glyn Ceiriog, Dee Valley and Moel Fferna areas.

A total of four vehicles were seized and several warnings were issues as a result of the operation.

Inspector Gareth Jones said: “We had a lot of officers out, with officers from the Special Constabulary, Roads Policing Unit, Central and Eastern Divisions all assisting. The aim was to target specific locations where we were expecting issues, whilst also having the ability to respond to calls from members of the public as and when they came in”

“It was an eventful day; we seized 4 vehicles, reported 12 others for various motoring offences, and also issued a formal warning for cannabis”.

Two vehicles were seized following reports of illegal off-road activity on land off the Horseshoe Pass. One of these cost the owner £500 on the spot to get his vehicle back.

A further three motorcycles from the Wrexham area were stopped in the Nantyr Forest, on one of which, a Suzuki RM250, the owner had just made up a number plate and attached it to the bike.

Inspector Jones added “That’s not how it works, so we seized it and reported the rider.”

A large group of bikes from the Wirral area were stopped as they passed the church in Glyn Ceiriog. One bike was seized, and the others reported for motoring offences. Inspector Jones observed “One rider didn’t have an appropriate drivers licence, so we seized that bike as well”

Several 4 x 4’s were also stopped as part of the operation. Their tanks were dipped and the vehicles checked over by traffic officers. One was issued a s59 notice and reported, whilst the passenger was searched and a quantity of cannabis recovered. Insp Jones added “He seemed surprisingly relaxed about the whole affair”

In summary, Inspector Jones said: “It was an interesting day. Those that were illegal were dealt with appropriately, whilst those that were legal were both supportive of our operation and understood the reasons behind it. That was pleasing to see.”