TWELVE people have been arrested in a police crackdown on the illegal use of off-road bikes in Greater Manchester.

Officers have also seized 27 bikes, given 160 warnings and issued 82 fixed penalty notices in the first six weeks of the three-month long operation to limit the danger - to riders and pedestrians - posed by quad bikes, scramblers and motorised scooters.

A team of police officers on motorbikes, which can legally be ridden both on and off road, are involved in the crackdown patrolling parks and areas of wasteland where youths on bikes have been posing a problem.

In one recent mini motorcycle accident in Leigh, 13-year-old Jack Turner died when he was involved in a collision with a car in Broadwell Drive.

Police say that anyone caught breaking the law could be liable for prosecution or given an official warning. Their details will also be recorded on a national database.

Riders who ignore any official warning will have their motorbikes seized and will have to pay a £105 release fee, which increases £12 for every 24 hours the vehicle is impounded. If the bike is not claimed after 21 days, it will be crushed.

Sgt Syd Rasheed of GMPs traffic network section said: "Greater Manchester Police is committed to tackling the danger and nuisance of off-road bikes.

"I want to send out a clear warning to those people who are causing problems using off-road bikes that their behaviour will not be tolerated."

Residents suffering as a result of off-road bikes are urged to contact their local policing team on 0161 872 5050