Police have been granted powers to seize illegal off‑road vehicles on the spot as damage to protected habitats is reportedly on the rise, and officers warned that drivers could be left with a “long walk home”.
Environmental groups and government bodies have highlighted an increase in damage to areas designated for wildlife and conservation, noting that unauthorised off‑road activity is a significant contributor.
The new enforcement authority allows officers to confiscate any vehicle found operating illegally within these protected zones without the need for a prior court order, effectively removing the vehicle from the scene immediately.
In issuing the warning, police officials said that once a vehicle is seized, the driver will have to leave the site on foot, underscoring the seriousness of the offence and the immediate consequences.
Protected habitats are legally designated spaces intended to preserve biodiversity, and off‑road vehicles can cause soil erosion, disturb wildlife and damage fragile ecosystems, prompting stricter enforcement measures.
<small>Source: BBC Science — read the original story there.</small>
