Walkers are asked to be on the lookout for off-roaders acting illegally

Police and national park officials are appealing to walkers to report off-roaders they spot illegally using Lakeland fells.

And motorcyclists and 4×4 drivers are being warned they risk their vehicles being seized if they are found breaking the law.

The southern parts of the Lake District national park are being blighted by off-roaders taking to the fells and farmland, causing environmental damage and disturbance. Police and national park rangers have teamed up with other groups to tackle the problem.

National Park management ranger David Pickup, said that partners – including Cumbria Police, Natural England, the Forestry Commission, motorcycle user groups, parish councils, and local community representatives – want to combat the problem of an irresponsible minority of people who are using motor vehicles on common land and the fells instead of using legal highways.

“These activities are causing damage to agricultural land, important wildlife habitats and causing disturbance and distress to local communities and safety of other countryside users and visitors. We know there will be no quick fixes, but there is a determination across all parties to combat this issue in any way they can,” he added.

The partnership was formed in response to the local community’s concern and frustration that the problem was not being tackled effectively.

A spokesman for the Campaign Against Rogue Motorcycling said: “Feet on the ground and eyes on the fells can make a vital contribution towards controlling the problem of rogue motorcycling, and we are appealing to all walkers to observe, record and to report to the police any incident of illegal riding of motorbikes on bridleways, footpaths or the open fell that you witness.”

The Cumbria group of the Trail Riders Fellowship, the organisation for those who ride road-legal motorcycles on legal highways, is supporting the move.

A spokesperson said: “We, and the vast majority of trail riders, take care to ride responsibly and courteously, recognising that we share Cumbria, and the national park, with those who make their living here and those who come for leisure and recreation. We are very upset that a small minority of ‘bandits’ sully our image and cause such aggravation.”

Inspector Kevin Spedding of Cumbria Constabulary said offenders were having a negative and unacceptable impact on the quality of life of local residents and visitors.

“Cumbria Constabulary is committed to working with local communities and partner agencies in combating the minority of irresponsible riders and drivers who indulge in illegal off-road activity,” he said.

“Anyone with any information as to the offenders’ identity or information in relation to offences being committed can ring us on 0845 3300247.”

New warning signs will now be posted at a number of locations reminding those involved that their activity is illegal and that they are committing a criminal offence, which could lead to them facing a fixed penalty fine and losing their vehicle.