Thames Valley Police seize off-road bike in Mortimer Common as part of Operation Trail

An off-road bike was seized by police and loaded on to the back of a lorry.

Officers were responding to several reports made by the public about the bikes riding through Longmoor Lane woods in Mortimer Common.

They confiscated the bike after it was seen being ridden in the woods on Wednesday, July 10.

Thames Valley Police have pledged to continue to take action against any rider caught using the woods.

Last December, police announced Operational Trail, a new team that would work to catch anti-social riders on quadbikes and motorbikes, often going through estates or on parkland to the detriment of residents.

At the time, Inspector Scott Long said: “We know that anti-social use of vehicles can cause misery and danger to communities and we now have the capability to go off road and target those using vehicles illegally.

“We all have a part to play in keeping our roads, communities and green areas safe so please continue to provide us with information so that we can target the right areas and make the Thames Valley safer.”

And Thames Valley police and crime commissioner Matthew Barber said: “The team will support our growing number of neighbourhood police officers by tackling crime in often hard-to-reach areas and apprehending those causing antisocial behaviour riding quad bikes and motorbikes.”