THREE 4x4s have been seized after a dedicated operation to tackle anti-social and illegal use.

Rural officers from the Hexham Neighbourhood Policing Team worked with partners Natural England, local landowners and community volunteers at Slaley Woods - an identified "hotspot".

The 4x4s were uplifted after being spotted driving illegally down a restricted Byway Open to All Traffic (BOAT) – which is not due to open until early May.

Inspector Kate Benson, of Northumbria Police, said: “BOATs are tracks, usually in rural areas – they often have restrictions put in place to prevent damage to the surrounding area from overuse. This is usually a limitation on times of use, with the aim to protect the environment, wildlife and other users.

“However, considerable damage has already been caused in the woods, which is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) under the Wildlife and Countryside Act."

Insp Benson added: “I’d ask everyone, whoever you may be, to be mindful that the area is for a variety of users.

"Please double-check that the areas of woodland you intend to visit are open to the public – some tracks are restricted during certain times of the year and it is your responsibility to know when that is.

“I hope this reassures all those who live in Slaley, and surrounding areas, that this type of anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated in our rural communities."

As part of the operation, a dispersal order was also put in place for 36-hours.

In November, a local woman, who did not want to be named, told the Courant that she feared there would be a fatality in the forest.

READ MORE: Slaley Forest 'a fatality waiting to happen after bikers intimidation'

It came after she suffered a "life-changing" injury after her horse was spooked by motorbike riders.

At the time, vice chair of Slaley Parish Council, Cllr John Story, said how people were "frightened" to go to the forest.

He added: “There are people who use the vehicles and act very responsibly, but it’s like everything else in life, you’ve got a small but sadly, an increasing number of people who want to go out and do their own thing."