THREE off-road motorcyclists have had their bikes seized by police for riding their vehicles illegally.

And they have been warned to cough up for the fine or the bikes will be destroyed.

Pontardawe Police carried out an operation in the Swansea Valley earlier this month after being inundated with complaints from residents and councillors.

The Partnership and Communities Together team, PACT, said the propblem is ever increasing and demanded officers do something about the motorcyclists.

Pontardawe Neighbourhood Policing Team seized three bikes, two in Lon Hir in Pontardawe and the other in Cilmaengwyn. They will be destroyed unless the owner pays a fee and presents a valid insurance certificate.

Sector Inspector Jeff Handley said: "Off-road motorbikes have been raised as PACT priorities and we have been pro-active in dealing with this problem which has resulted in three seizures.

"Riders would have had to receive a warning on a previous occasion before we take the significant step of seizing a motorbike, which are retained for two weeks incurring a storage fee.

"If this fee is not paid along with presentation of an insurance certificate then the bikes are destroyed."

Further operations will be held in Swansea Valley by the division's dedicated off-road motorbike team.

"Our aim is to engage and educate riders but also prosecute those who commit road traffic offences," added Insp Handley.

"The off-road team has had considerable success in other parts of the division where the number of complaints has decreased substantially following police operations."