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Off-roaders damage moorland environment
PEOPLE illegally riding motorbikes and driving heavy 4x4 vehicles up and down the hills of Todmorden Moor have damaged the fragile eco-system.
Large tracks now dominate the landscape and rain which has collected in these has a damaging effect on the vitally important peat bogs.
Last night police in Todmorden warned illegal off roaders to stay away or risk having their vehicles seized.
Officers have teamed up with the Todmorden Moor Restoration Trust and Natural England to crack down on people driving over local beauty spots and ruining the environment.
Insp Derrick Oldham of the upper valley neighbourhood policing team said: "Members of the Todmorden Moor Restoration Trust are helping us by being our eyes and ears and reporting anyone they see up there who shouldn't be around.
"And they have installed covert CCTV cameras which beam back high-quality pictures which will be able to help us catch those responsible.
"We have already caught two people illegally driving a 4x4 over the moor.
"They were both given a warning – if they return then they risk having the vehicle seized from them."
Robin and Sarah Pennie, who are both trustees for the Todmorden Moor Restoration Trust, said in a joint statement: "Todmorden Moor was once used heavily for industrial purposes but it is now starting to recover with important species of plant and animal life returning.
"But it is a fragile recovery and it doesn't take much to spoil it. These people are ruining it for the vast majority of others," the statement added.
Dave Key, land management adviser, South and West Yorkshire Team for Natural England, said: "These fragile moors are characteristic of the South Pennines; they are not only protected for their habitats and species, but also because they're so much a part of the area's local heritage."
Anyone who wants to report illegal off-roaders can contact police by calling 0845 6060606.
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Weather for Yorkshire
Saturday 11 February 2012
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Temperature: -1 C to 1 C
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