Motorcyclists illegally using a country park as a race track have forced councillors to draft in police officers to stamp out the problem.

Essex County Council is becoming increasingly concerned about bikers abusing Flitch Way Country Park, Braintree, despite a motorcycle ban in all country parks.

Recent incidents include allegations of harassment of walkers and cyclists and racing at the park from Rayne to Felsted at weekends, when it is full of families.

A county council spokesman said: "Staff have stopped and warned some motorcyclists only to see them elsewhere in the park, sometimes later the same day. There have been also several near misses with members of the public in recent months but fortunately no-one has been injured."

Officers from the Shalford community policing unit will be investigating the situation and aim to sort it out.

Published Friday September 10, 2004

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