15 motorists were spoken to by Wiltshire Police for illegal activity on Salisbury Plain during a joint operation with the military.
On June 1st, the Wiltshire Police Rural Crime Team and Amesbury Neighbourhood Policing Team joined Salisbury Plain Training Area staff and Ministry of Defence Police as part of Operation Aston, established to reduce the amount of illegal activity on Salisbury Plain carried out by off-roaders and people contravening the byelaws.
Inspector Andy Lemon, lead of Rural Crime at Wiltshire Police, said, "The Byelaws on Salisbury Plain are there to provide safety to the public. There are signs warning people not to enter areas used for training for their own protection.
"We use intelligence to target specific areas of the plain that we know are being used illegally. We know that vans are driving onto the Plain carrying motorbikes and that some areas are a magnet for off-roaders, bikes, quads and 4x4s.
"Make sure if you’re going to venture out to Salisbury Plain, you do your research and plan your day. Be sure you know where you ARE and ARE NOT allowed to be."
During the operation, officers spoke to:
- four cyclists who were in an out-of-bounds area
- Issued a warning to one driver of a transit van loaded with illegal motorbikes
- a motorcyclist with an illegal motorbike (no registration plate)
- four motorcyclists in an out-of-bounds area
- two 4x4 drivers
Inspector Brewster said: “This activity causes nuisance and disruption for the local community. It damages the environment and harms wildlife which is why these restrictions are put in place.
"In addition to this, those involved in this illegal activity put their own lives at risk when they stray into areas of the Plain where the army are carrying out live exercises.
"During the operation officers engaged with members of the public using the byways and footpaths, discussing with them and, where necessary, educating on, safe and legal enjoyment of the area. Most appreciated our presence and efforts to keep the Plain a space for all to safely enjoy.
"We would like to thank our partners for their part in organising this operation and the community who call in this anti-social behaviour activity which helps us build a picture of the extent of the issues and target such offending."
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