Cops target Croft fans

Six police forces are joining up to clampdown on speeding bike fans heading for this weekend’s British Superbikes round at Croft – despite the fact that only 32 of the 245 ‘extreme’ speeders they are currently prosecuting were riding bikes.

Marked and unmarked police bikes and cars, speed camera vans, and extra patrols and speed checks across North Yorkshire and beyond are being backed with a “get-tough fast-track policy which can cost extreme speeders (those doing more than 30mph more than the limit) their licences within days of being caught, according to the North Yorks force.

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Supt Martin Deacon, head of Road Policing, said: “I have a very uncomplicated message for all riders and drivers coming to Croft.

“Enjoy your visit, and we will do our best to help you do that. But if you ride or drive dangerously we will catch you, and we will take strong action.”

North Yorkshire officers will be joined in the multi-force operation by officers from the Cleveland, Durham, Cumbria, Lancashire and Humberside forces. They will police routes to Croft both in their own counties and on roads going well into North Yorkshire.

A spokesman for the force admitted nothing of a similar scale is considered when Croft hosts large car racing meets.

He said the operation was not about catching speeding motorcyclists – but a sincere effort at accident reduction.

Supt Deacon added: “We will not be out there to persecute anyone or to spoil anyone’s legitimate pleasure. We will be out there to save lives, it’s as simple as that.”