Illegal off-road bikes are ruining a beautiful Forest Town nature spot according to Nottinghamshire Police.
Throughout the year, the police have received calls reporting anti-social behaviour and damage at Spa Ponds nature reserve.
Vehicles such as quad bikes and dirt bikes are disturbing wildlife as well as damaging their habitat – rightly causing an issue for members of the public who enjoy the land.
The 6.5 hectare wetland reserve is located off Clipstone Drive, Mansfield and can be accessed by foot, bicycle or horse.
Image: Spa Ponds nature reserve
Sergeant Paul Clarke, of the Mansfield Woodhouse Neighbourhood Team, wants to remind people that riding motor vehicles on common land is almost always illegal.
He said: “The only place off-road bikes can be lawfully ridden is on private land with the direct permission of the landowner, or at an organised, supervised off-road centre.
We want the community to feel safe in Forest Town. This includes Spa Ponds and we want to put a stop to this antisocial behaviour so everyone can enjoy the wildlife.
Owned and managed by Forest Town Nature Conservation Group (FTNCG), the land is used as a community resource.
FTNCG Chair, Shlomo Dowen, is grateful for the police’s assistance in tackling illegal activity on the site.
He added: “It is wonderful to be working with so many enthusiastic people to protect and improve the site.
“Our Wardens and other volunteers are there most days of the week, and we know that nearly everyone who visits Spa Ponds is very considerate. For example, the vast majority keep their dogs on leads so they do not harm the ducks, and use the litter so bin at the entrance to the site.”
As well as reporting any incidents to the police by calling 101, people are asked to pass along any information by email to [email protected].
For more info on Spa Ponds and FTNCG, follow this link.
