by Q Radio News
A campaign is underway to stop unauthorised vehicles using Davagh Forest.
These include motorbikes, quads and scramblers.
The initiative has been spearheaded by the council, the PSNI and Mid Ulster Policing and Community Safety Partnership.
Davagh Forest is around six miles north west of Cookstown.
The forest has become a huge draw for mountain bikers as well as leisure walkers and families.
The council and the PSNI have recently been made aware of the use of unauthorised vehicles in the forest.
Mid Ulster District Council Chair, Councillor Kim Ashton, says the main priority must be to ensure that Davagh Forest remains a safe place for the many leisure walkers and families.
Councillor Ken Reid, Chair of Mid Ulster Policing and Community Safety Partnership, points out that earlier this year, damage caused by scramblers led to the closure of the trails at Davagh.
“This had a detrimental effect on everyone who uses the forest. The PCSP was very pleased to support this campaign by providing CCTV cameras and warning signage to detect and deter this type of irresponsible behaviour.
“We want to remind everyone that these vehicles can be very dangerous if not used legally and in the correct environment. There have been very serious incidents and fatalities involving quads and scramblers and we do not want similar tragedies to happen in Davagh,” he adds.
13 year boy dies following quad bike crash near Newry
Man appears in court charged over head-on collision which killed father and son
Remains of 300-year-old building complex unearthed by chance on country estate
Fresh Met Office warning for icy conditions across Northern Ireland
Community still in shock over deaths of father and son, funeral told