POLICE in Thurrock have stepped up their profile with increased patrols to try and combat the blight of off road bike riders in public open spaces across the borough.

Officers from Thurrock Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) have been carrying out proactive patrols across the district to target anti-social behaviour linked to nuisance vehicles including scramblers, quad bikes and e-bikes.

This follows increased recent reports from residents about vehicles being used dangerously and illegally on roads, public spaces and bridle paths in areas including Orsett, Blackshots Park and South Ockendon.

Officers recovered a stolen motorbike in the Blackshots Park area, and seized an uninsured bike being ridden illegally across Orsett Heath.

One of the police quad bikes deployed during Operation Caesar.

Section 59 warnings were issued in areas where vehicles had been causing disruption. These give officers the power to seize any vehicle being used illegally or anti-socially.

Three other stolen vehicles were recovered by the NPT, including a JCB worth around £100,000, and the patrols also led to the arrest and charging of a man for shoplifting and possession of cannabis in Orsett, as well as the safe return of a high‑risk missing person.

Sergeant Rob Mackenzie of Thurrock NPT said: "We know how frustrating and intimidating anti-social use of vehicles can be for residents, particularly when bikes are being ridden dangerously through residential areas or on land where they shouldn't be.

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"Operation Caesar is all about being proactive and getting officers into the areas where we know incidents are most likely, to seize vehicles, issue Section 59 warnings or arrest those involved in criminality.

"We will continue to patrol hotspots across Thurrock, listen to concerns raised by the community and take robust action against anyone intent on causing disruption."