STAFFORDSHIRE Police is putting officers out on patrol along the Railway Walk in South Staffordshire to help crack down on nuisance off-road bikers.

The Railway Walk, a disused railway track which runs from Bhylls Lane, Castlecroft, through Lower Penn, Wombourne, Himley and into Kingswinford, is popular with dog walkers, horse riders and families.

But police say reports of nuisance caused by off-road bike riders have increased and the problem is now becoming an issue on week day evenings in addition to weekends.

A spokesman for Staffordshire Police said both uniformed and plain clothed officers would now be policing the area and a Section 35s order has been put in place - giving officers the power to direct riders to leave the area for up to 48 hours and, if necessary, seize their bikes.

Officers from both Staffordshire Police and West Midlands Police are involved in the crackdown.