MINISTRY of Defence Police have been out in force on Salisbury Plain to tackle the problem of motorbikes and other vehicles being driven illegally driving across the Defence Training Area.
A total of 73 vehicles were checked on Saturday and Sunday leading to 14 people being issued with fines and three motorcycles being seized.
Fixed penalty notices were issued for offences ranging from driving other than on a road and number plate offences, to driving with no insurance.
The motorcycle riders have also been reported for summons for offences under the Salisbury Plain Military Lands Byelaws 1981.
Sergeant Mark Venning, MoD Police senior officer for Salisbury Plain, said: “The vast majority of Salisbury Plain is owned by the MoD and it is regularly used for military exercises.
“The public are allowed access and vehicles are permitted but only if they stick to the numerous marked byways and official tracks.
“No vehicles are allowed to leave these rights of way, primarily for range safety reasons. But unfortunately we have been receiving more and more reports of motorists and bikers going off-road.
“This is an operational military training environment so this clearly presents a safety issue, but there is also the fact that 20,000 hectares of grassland on the Plain have been designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a Special Area of Conservation.
“And we have had reports that damage has been caused to this environment by these unauthorised vehicles and motorbikes driving across the grasslands and in the woods.”
The weekend’s operation conducted by training area marshals, Landmarc land wardens, Wiltshire Police and the Royal Military Police is the first in a number of planned crackdowns on illegal driving on the plain.
“MOD land on Salisbury Plain is subject to a range of byelaws which are posted on all access points so there should be no excuses for ignorance,” said Sergeant Venning.
“These byelaws also give us powers of arrest for offences and allow us to seize vehicles and other property if they are being misused.”
Anyone with information about illegal activity on Salisbury Plain can call the Plainwatch on 01980 674700.
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