Police have seized more than a dozen off-road bikes as part of a crackdown.

Officers launched Operation Handbrake last month and are working with the antisocial behaviour team at Wigan Council.

And police in Leigh, Atherton and Hindley said that 15 vehicles have been taken.

A GMP spokesperson said: “Operation Handbrake continues to see success across the Wigan and Leigh.

“So far we have seized 15 Off-road vehicles, 13 of which have now been crushed.

“We have also seized a number of stolen vehicles including a road legal motorbike which will be returned to their owners.”

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Sergeant Dan Canavan, of our neighbourhood policing team based in Leigh, said when the operation was launched: “The aim of this operation is to work with partners and the communities to reduce the impact of off-road bikes, which are causing antisocial behaviour, through a targeted and tactical approach. Intelligence gathering will be a key area of work to develop new opportunities for future prevention.

“We want to create safer spaces in the community and with the help of our partners, we have undertaken a proactive and intelligence-led, highly visible operation, getting these dangerous bikes away from areas which residents enjoy.

“We’ve had several reports from members of the public who are fed up with off-road bikes and the antisocial behaviour they bring, causing disruption to the walkers, cyclists and families who want to enjoy our green spaces across the Wigan district.

“This operation showcases the resources we have to tackling this issue and the incentives being taken by our partner agencies.

“I hope these results bring positivity to not only the district but Greater Manchester as a whole given it is an innovative way of tackling a wide-spread problem which damages the quality of life of many residents.”