OFF road teen bikers were warned this week they face having their trials machines crushed if they keep riding on private land. The warning comes from the police after a series of incidents at the sand hills between Everton and Sandy and land close to the

OFF road teen bikers were warned this week they face having their trials machines crushed if they keep riding on private land.

The warning comes from the police after a series of incidents at the sand hills between Everton and Sandy and land close to the hamlet of Deepdale.

The incidents have increased since schoolchildren broke up for the summer holidays and police are using a 4x4 off road vehicle to chase the dirt-track culprits.

So far over half a dozen youngsters have been stopped and given written warnings they are breaking the law by riding on private land without the owner's permission and risk having their machines seized and crushed if they are caught again. So far no bikes have been confiscated.

The illegal biking is continuing much to the anger of nearby residents, say police.

Officers say the children and their machines are being dropped off by parents so the bikes are not being used on nearby roads.

The local beat officer who has the responsibility of trying to end the problem is Potton officer Ross Patterson.

This week he urged parents to stop allowing their children to ride the machines at the sand hills or near Deepdale.

"Youths using trials bikes at these two locations is a major problem at the moment which is why we are sending out a firm warning to them they risk losing their bikes if they get caught twice," said Pc Patterson.

"Off road trials bikes can be very expensive and some of the youngsters riding them are as young as 12 but are mostly in the 16-17 age range.

"The first reports we have of any activity is from local residents who can hear the bikes. So far we have handed out a number of warnings.

"But our main appeal is to parents not to encourage their children to ride in these areas in the first place."

In an attempt to stop children using trials bikes at the two sites, officers will now be making regular patrols both during the week and at weekends.