OFFICERS have spoken to rangers in Delamere Forest about concerns of anti-social behaviour.

This includes the use of some e-bikes and off-road motorbikes, as well as setting fires.

A statement from Cheshire Police Rural Crime Team reads: “Although pedal cycles and pedal assisted e-bikes are welcomed in the forest, if they are ridden responsibly, supped-up e-bikes and off-road motorbikes are not.

“We are sometimes labelled as the 'fun police' with regards to bikes in the forest, but we really are only interested in bikes which pose a threat to the safety of the public who use the forest in a respectful way.

“I saw around eight youths who had been causing trouble at the visitor centre who then on my arrival starburst off performing wheelies towards members of the public.

“This may be highly amusing to them but not to mothers with small children or dog walkers.

“I spoke to two males who were getting their off-road motorbikes ready to use within the forest after explaining the situation they very respectfully loaded their bikes back up and went on their way.”

The statement continues: “Rangers are also concerned about the amount of fires for impromptu campsites cropping up which are prohibited too at Delamere, and as you can imagine very dangerous with the extremely dry vegetation at the moment.

“We will be paying extra attention to this area because of these issues.”

Firefighters were called to the forest just before 10pm last night, Saturday.

They used a water backpack and beaters to put out a small fire in the open.