FIREFIGHTERS will be at the forefront of a new initiative to stamp out the use of off-road motorbikes in parks and open spaces.

Six fire stations, which cover Sandwell and parts of Dudley, have joined forces with West Midlands Police, Sandwell Council, Halesowen motorcycle retailer Streetbike and several other agencies, to try and deter the anti-social behaviour.

The fire service's four-wheel drive Brigade Response Vehicles, which can easily travel across grass and wooded areas, will be used to patrol areas frequented by nuisance riders.

It is illegal to ride a motorbike in public open spaces but Jason Jew, white watch commander at Haden Cross, said there has been a recent increase in people flouting the law.

"It's causing quite a bit of nuisance for people who like to use the spaces to walk their dogs, run or cycle and it's only a matter of time before someone is injured," he said.

"We've also noticed that when we have attended fires that are a result of anti-social behaviour, there has been a presence of off-road motorbikes in the immediate vicinity."

He continued: "Through this partnership we are going to provide a high visibility presence as and when required - it will be intelligence led from the police and members of the community.

"The vehicles we will be using have recording equipment on them and if we have any contact with riders or if motorcycles get close, footage will be recorded and passed on to police."

The scheme, which will be trialled for three months, was launched at Dudley's Warrens Hall Park on Wednesday (August 17) and Jason said he has confidence in its success.

He continued: "Our overall aim is to make parks and open spaces safer for people. We believe it will make the community stronger if they know they can pass information on and something will be done about it.

"After the three month trial is over, we'll have a look to see if it has had any impact on our arson stats and see if we have been going out to as many grass and rubbish fires. Then we can look at rolling it out further afield."

Councillor Elaine Costigan, Sandwell Council's cabinet member for public health and protection, added: "We are really worried that someone is going to get killed if people continue to ride motorbikes over our public open spaces.

“This behaviour must stop before that happens.

"People's safety is our top priority and we also know these bikes are causing a great nuisance in our communities.

"Our CCTV team is passing to the police all images of people caught on camera using motorbikes in an anti-social manner.

"People committing anti-social behaviour also face action for a breach of their council tenancy agreements, which may result in them losing their home."

Sergeant Kym Jones, from Sandwell Police, said: "We are very concerned about the rise in the anti-social use of off-road motorbikes across the West Midlands, including here in Sandwell. It's not just the noise they make but also the dangers of riding them.

"Ambulances and police are regularly called out to children and young adults who have sustained serious injuries from riding these bikes illegally and without wearing any protective clothing or a helmet.

"Please help keep your communities safe over the summer by reporting these dangerous anti-social problems to the police via Crimestoppers 0800 555 111."