Helicopters help police in Dudley beauty spot biker crackdown

A police sergeant has requested support from the National Police Air Service as officers attempt to catch the riders at Fens Pool Nature Reserve in Pensnett.

A helicopter circled over the reserve for 15 minutes during a recent visit by police and members of the Friends of Fens Pool group at the reserve.

Police spokesman Carly Anderson said: "We don't have control over the police helicopter unit - but requests can be made for a helicopter that is in the area to circle over the Fens Pool and see if there are any off-road vehicles.

"On this recent occasion, the helicopter circled for 15 minutes and there was no-one found, but it was reassuring for the sergeant to see it."

She added: "Because Fens Pool is a large open park, it is the ideal place for people to ride their off-road vehicles - but it is also very dangerous and is illegal.

"People caught face having their vehicle seized."

The air assistance has been welcomed by users of the nature reserve.

Evelyn Bradley, chairman of the Friends of Fens Pool group, was with police and Brockmoor and Pensnett Councillor Judy Foster when the fly-over took place.

Ms Bradley has long-campaigned against the use of off-road vehicles on the reserve. The 92 acre reserve, which is a Site of Special Scientific Interest, already faces problems of tethered horses.

She said: "The reserve is very special and the bikers do a lot of damage around the pools and the paths. They are also associated with antisocial behaviour and walkers often face abuse when talking to them.

"The police helicopter is exactly what we want to help police on the ground enforce the law.

"It is also good for local people to see that their issues being tackled and not ignored."

Ms Bradley said the problem of bikers on the reserve 'comes and goes', but said she believed there were now more riders than several years ago.

She said: "All too often, the problem is the officers can't catch the bikers as they ride away so quickly and end up going through people's back gardens."

A user of the park, who did not wish to be named, said she had almost been knocked over by a off-road bike rider on Saturday night.

She said: "They zip past you at 30mph. It scares the hell out of you."