BIKERS are being warned that illegal and dangerous riding will not be tolerated in Cumbria and North Yorkshire as part of an operation aimed at reducing biker deaths.

North Yorkshire and Cumbria police have teamed up for Operation Anvil and since the launch last weekend 179 bikers have been stopped at Devil’s Bridge, Kirby Lonsdale and on the A65 heading into North Yorkshire and spoken to about safe riding.

Inspector Nick Wattam, Commander of the Operations Support Unit in North Yorkshire’s Western Area, said: “We are pleased to say that out of those 179 riders, only 23 were issued with fines and four were given verbal warnings.

"The main offences being illegal registration plates and exhausts.

“The vast majority of bikers we met were law-abiding riders who also want to see an end to the reckless and dangerous riding by the arrogant minority.

“We want riders to enjoy our county and to leave in one piece, however, we will not tolerate illegal and reckless riding.

"Anyone who believes our roads can be used as a racing circuit will feel the full force of the law."

Sergeant John Leonard, of South Cumbria Roads Policing Unit, said last year 54 bikers were killed or seriously injured on Cumbrian roads.

He added: “Nearly half of these were in South Cumbria so it is vitally important that we hold operations like this to help reduce these figures.”