DANGEROUS and antisocial motorcyclists on the A46 at Salford Priors and the A44 in Broadway were punished following a police clampdown at the weekend.

During the initiative, which will continue throughout summer months, police officers dealt with nine traffic offences and gave out four verbal warnings for speed .

Specialist units including motorcycle police, speed enforcement officers and the Operational Patrol Unit team are providing a visible deterrent to speeding motorists and motorcyclists during these schemes.

Sergeant Stuart Allen, from the Operational Policing Unit at Warwickshire Police and West Mercia Police, said: “In the spring and summer, particularly on nice weekends, these two locations are always busy with bikers testing their skills, and often racing up and down.

“There is an obvious road safety issue here which needs to be addressed for the safety of all road users and that’s why we are launching this operation.

“This action is also being taken in support of people living around the areas who have complained through their safer neighbourhood team or parish council about the noise and high speeds of the machines involved.”

Anna Higgins, Communications Manager at the Safer Roads Partnership, said: “We will continue to run similar operations across West Mercia and Warwickshire over the summer months, around other operational commitments.”

“We were encouraged that the majority of motorists were adhering to the speed limit. However, we will continue with this initiative until the message gets through to the minority of motorists causing the problems that their activities will not be tolerated.

“It also demonstrates that the police and the Safer Roads Partnership listen to community concern and act upon it where necessary.”

Bikers are invited to take part in a motorcyclists training course called ‘Take Control’ which is subsidised by the partnership and costs £25 for half a day or £50 for a full day.

The programme, which took place Sunday, July 20 is part of a joint operation to combat problems caused by motorcyclists on the A44 in Broadway as well as the A46 in Salford Priors.