MOTORCYCLISTS who trespass on private land for off-road riding are being targeted in a police operation.

Residents in rural areas such as Joyce Green, Higham and Dartford Heath have complained about the bikers.

The say the off-road motorcyclists have been terrorising them by driving at recklessly high speeds across their land.

Operation Iceland has been set up with the support of several landowners in North Kent.

The aim of the operation is to help in the battle against the illegal motorcyclists.

In the first day, nine vehicles were seized in the Dartford and Gravesend area.

Many more were expected to be seized with the squad patrolling areas where complaints have been the most numerous.

Some of the areas which are affected are Darenth Wood and Hartley.

PC Angela Faulkner said: Landowners are fed up with the nuisance bikes.

They will not tolerate them any longer.

She added: Anyone caught using their motorcycles where they were not permitted to do so would be prosecuted.

We are cracking down on this seriously.

If we stop someone who is driving off-road with no evidence that the vehicle is their property we have the power to seize and destroy that vehicle.

Police need the backing of land owners in order to prosecute off-road motorcyclists who trespass or cause criminal damage to private land.

They are however able able to act independently as well to deal with offences committed on roadways and public footpaths.