A woodland walk is being damaged by mountain bikers digging up the trails to make them into jumps.
Now police are upping their patrols at Hambleton Hough wood near Selby to deter the young cyclists.
But not everyone’s happy about this action.
A North Yorkshire Police spokesperson said: “Unfortunately police have received calls that a lot of the tracks within the woods have had damage caused to them as they have been dug up and made into jumps for bikers to use.
“The landowners are having to spend a lot of time and money to get the tracks back to how they were, to ensure that the bridal ways are safe to use again.
“If you or your family are attending the Hambleton Hough nature reserve, please respect the area and make people aware that no bikes are permitted to be in the woods at any time.
“Multiple signs have been placed around the woods stating that any form of bikes are not permitted in the area, however these have been ripped down.
“Police will be patrolling the area and will take action if any persons are caught causing damage to the land.”
Hambleton Hough Nature Reserve
Bikes have not always been banned from Hambleton Hough. A woodland management plan for the area submitted in 2020 said: “Hambleton Hough is very popular with the general public for many activities, including dog walking, horse riding and off road cycling.
“This will continue as before and all access paths and routes will be maintained on a regular basis.”
Some residents believe the police action is heavy handed. One wrote on Facebook: “Where else is there for kids to be out and about getting off screens and into fresh air?”
Another agreed, writing: “What do you actually want kids to do. They can’t do anything. If they are on streets they are been anti social and now having fun on their bikes it’s this.”
And a third added: “I was out there in summer with my dog, and came across some very polite lads on mountain bikes, they looked like they were having great fun. It reminded me of my childhood.”