Off-road bikes crackdown launched

Quad bikes are causing damage to the sensitive nature area

Police in Fife have said they will crack down on people using off-road bikes in a sensitive nature area.

Damage is being caused around Dumbarnie Links, which is a designated site of special scientific interest, according to Scottish Natural Heritage.

Its sand dunes and grassland feature the largest salt marsh on the northern side of the Forth.

Special patrols will focus on the area to prevent motorbikes and quad bikes causing further damage to the dunes.

Seek permission

Insp Alastair Topen said: "Fife Constabulary regularly receive complaints from members of the public visiting Dumbarnie Links and other recreational areas in Fife about scrambler and quad bikes being used and causing distress and danger.

"People acquire these machines without first seeking permission from a land owner to ride the machines on their property.

"I would urge people thinking of getting such a machine to ensure that they have access to an area where they can use the machine legally."

Lisa Duggan of Scottish Natural Heritage said: "Scottish Natural Heritage is very keen that people enjoy the countryside, but only if they do so responsibly.

"Dumbarnie Links has a number of locally rare plants and a few which occur no where else in Fife. Quad biking and motor cycling can cause damage to these species and to the fragile sand dune habitats where they are found."