ILLEGAL motorbikers who cause problems on the roads around Hoyland have been warned to expect visits from police in the next few weeks following an intelligence gathering operation to compile details of those responsible.

South Yorkshire Police are aware of problems with illegal bikers in the district but it is notoriously difficult for officers to catch the culprits in the act.

Motorbikes provide an easy means of escape when offenders are seen by police and officers are not allowed to give chase because of the risks involved.

That is known by some offenders who will go as far as taunting police with insulting gestures on occasions where they are spotted.

Specific police operations to target trouble spots have failed to succeed simply because offenders have not turned up at the times when officers have been prepared to strike. So instead, police have taken a different approach and have spent time compiling information about who the offenders are and where they live.

That means they are able to confront them at home without the potential for danger on the streets. It is a slow process to gather the facts, but officers who work the Hoyland area now have information about some of the people blamed for causing problems and have warned they can expect to be visited in the next few weeks.

Sanctions open to police involve issuing warnings and seizing the bikes which have been used illegally. Already one bike has been taken off the road and three warnings issued.