AN UNDERCOVER crackdown on illegal and off-road bikers in Torfaen - dubbed a "plague of locusts'' - netted 21 offenders in its first weekend.

The officers backed by uniformed colleagues, from Cwmbran and Pontypool, took to their motorcycles and launched Operation Cassowary by patrolling mountains and streets.

Section 59 orders or warnings were handed out to each offender, which, if breached, could lead to a vehicle being confiscated.

The bike will only be returned on payment of a charge of £105, with an additional storage fee of £12 per day, under the Police Reform Act 2002. Around a dozen officers took part in the operation on Penyrheol mountain, near Cwmbran, and on streets throughout Torfaen.

The crackdown came as Gwent Police and Torfaen Community Safety Partnership launched their long-term strategy to tackle the problem.

This includes the aim to educate young people about the dangers of scooters, go-peds and scrambler bikes and the laws regarding their use. "This is not just about enforcement, it is about educating people," said Inspector Jim Baker of Cwmbran.

He added: "There's a problem that people are simply not aware that these activities are unlawful. The idea is to go out to schools, motorbike retail outlets and the community in general to get the message across." Insp Baker also voiced concerns over damage being caused to land by bikers.

It is illegal to ride motorbikes on common land and those who ride on the roads must comply with The Road Traffic Act 1988 and possess a driving licence, insurance and MoT certificates and tax.

Last year around 1,200 complaints were received by police in Torfaen about off-road biking.

Dave Jeremiah, Torfaen's community safety manager said the aim was to cut complaints by 7.5 per cent per year.

Mr Jeremiah said a relatively small number of illegal bikers had mushroomed to a "plague of locusts" in recent years. He added those caught could be putting their tenancies at risk if they lived in council homes.