Residents of a mid Suffolk village have called for action after discovering that dirt bikes have been using badger setts in the area as ramps.

The bikes are causing significant distress to both the public and wildlife, with the engines being heard in areas surrounding a public footpath and a field containing pregnant ewes and young lambs. 

East Anglian Daily Times: The dirt bike tracks have been found in woodland on Blakenham Farms. Credit: ContributedThe dirt bike tracks have been found in woodland on Blakenham Farms. Credit: Contributed (Image: Contributed)

The management team of Blakenham Farms, an estate near Somersham, just outside Ipswich, have been forced to take drastic steps - including erecting two large concrete blocks on a public footpath.

"We've tried putting up signs but they just get torn down," said estate manager John Latham.

"The bikes come down the public footpath and then go onto private land and destroy wildlife. 

"We decided to put up two concrete blocks with a gap for people to walk through, but the council wants us to take them down.

"We're having meetings with them in the coming weeks to discuss a sensible solution to this problem.

East Anglian Daily Times: The estate management team put concrete blocks up in a bid to stop the bikers. Credit: ContributedThe estate management team put concrete blocks up in a bid to stop the bikers. Credit: Contributed (Image: Contributed)

"We need to find a permanent way to stop the bikers as I'm worried they will just keep coming back."

Suffolk County Council requested the blocks be removed due to their obstruction of a public footpath. 

Steven Wells, prospective Mid Suffolk Council candidate for the Blakenham ward, has been meeting with the estate management to discuss alternative measures.

"I contacted the land owners and they explained why the dirt bikes are such an issue," he said.

"They are noisy and there have been issues with walkers making complaints about the bikes scaring them.

East Anglian Daily Times: Steven Wells, prospective Mid Suffolk Council candidate for the Blakenham ward. Credit: Steven WellsSteven Wells, prospective Mid Suffolk Council candidate for the Blakenham ward. Credit: Steven Wells (Image: Steven Wells)

"Other than potential risks to the bikers, pedestrians, the illegality of bikes on footpaths and the impact on farm animals, the bikers are also causing significant damage to badger setts.

"They have been using them as ramps and humps to ride over. 

"This is obviously illegal as badgers are a protected species.

East Anglian Daily Times: Signs attempting to ward off the bikers have been torn down. Credit: ContributedSigns attempting to ward off the bikers have been torn down. Credit: Contributed (Image: Contributed)

"The estate management recognise that the obstructions are illegal and they are now working with Suffolk County Council public rights of way officers to try and find a more suitable solution.

"The bikers need to be stopped and I hope we can find a method which works and is beneficial for all."

There have been a number of apparent collisions with fencing near the edge of a quarry - with some even being deliberately cut back.

East Anglian Daily Times: The bikes are believed to be driving through cut fencing and the estate management have voiced concerns about a serious incident happening. Credit: ContributedThe bikes are believed to be driving through cut fencing and the estate management have voiced concerns about a serious incident happening. Credit: Contributed (Image: Contributed)

The bikes are believed to have gone through where the fence has been cut open and the estate management have voiced concerns about a serious incident happening.

A spokesman for Suffolk police said the Hadleigh Safer Neighbourhood Team have been made aware of the complaints and "are working on a multi-agency approach to tackle the issue".

"Officers are considering using a number of tactics to identify and deter offenders, including targeted patrols in affected areas," they added. 

"This will be in addition to ongoing work that has been taking place, including: letters sent to vehicles seen in the area that may be connected; a proposed assessment of perimeter security; and exploring new signage.

East Anglian Daily Times: The police are working alongside the management team. Credit: ContributedThe police are working alongside the management team. Credit: Contributed (Image: Contributed)

"Anyone identified in these incidents will be spoken to by police and enforcement action may be taken."

The RSPCA also voiced its concerns, with a spokesman saying: "It is upsetting to hear that badgers are being disturbed and the local wildlife is being impacted in this way.

"The law protecting badgers and their setts is clear: it is an offence to obstruct access to, destroy or damage an active badger sett or disturb any badgers that are occupying a sett except under licence from Natural England."