Drone used to tackle 'dangerous' off-road bikers

The drone is used to follow riders acting in a dangerous manner

A specialist drone is being used as an "eye in the sky" by police tackling off-road bikes they say are being ridden dangerously.

The machine is being used in the Barrow and Furness area by Cumbria Police in response to "growing concerns and frequent reports" about the way bikes are being used.

It warns the problem is having a "big impact on communities".

The force has taken nine vehicles off the roads and three people have been reported for licence and insurance offences as part of Operation Leopard over the past month.

Patrols using marked and unmarked cars were carried out in areas identified as trouble "hotspots" in the initial stage.

The next phase of Operation Leopard saw police use the drone "as the eye in the sky to find and follow riders, with officers on the ground directed to the offenders where once again they and their bikes were dealt with".

"The operation will be continuing on a regular basis and we will be using the same resources to target these bikes, and in particular in the autumn and winter months where the darker, colder and wetter conditions will increase the danger to everyone, including the riders," the force added.