A CRACKDOWN on off-road motorbikes being ridden illegally is already showing results.

As reported last week, Greater Manchester Police has launched the new safer roads targeting team that is on hand to assist community offenders if off-road bikes are being used illegally.

The new team is equipped with a fleet of on and off-road bikes and unmarked cars to help the catch the offenders.

The scheme is already starting to show results with officers dealing with a number of off-road bike seizures in Little Hulton and Walkden yesterday.

Riders were given the relevant warnings, reported to the courts for driving offences and had their bikes seized.

The new team was assisted by Greater Manchester Police traffic officers during the operation.

Police said that they are intelligence led and encouraged people to report issues as and when they occur so they can take the relevant action.

They added that the more information people send, the more chance officers have of taking positive action and people are asked to send as much detail as possible.

Little Hulton has had a long running problem with off-road bikes and they are often reported being driven down walkways to some housing estates in the area.

Walkden has also historically faced problems with off-road bikers.

The new Greater Manchester-wide team consists of seven off-road bikes and is based at Eccles.

GMP has also launched a community 'toolkit', giving people information on how they can help police and other agencies tackle the issue.

The team is also working with local authorities and residents to tackle the problem, using tactics such as gating-off areas.

To report incidents in the Walkden and Little Hulton area email Salfordwest@gmp.police.uk

To download the toolkit go to www.gmp.police.uk/reporting/offroadbikes