Police in Staffordshire and Cheshire are joining forces to target motorcyclists who ride 'anti-socially' across county borders.

They will also be supported by Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service for the operation, which takes place today (Thursday, 23rd July), and comes as a direct result of seeing an increase in 'anti-social' biker behaviour.

They will be using marked and unmarked motorbikes, marked cars, ANPR cameras and speed cameras.

The West Mercia, North Wales, Gloucestershire and Merseyside police forces will also be running similar operations today.

Inspector Darren Owen, from Cheshire Police, said: "This operation is about engaging with as many riders as possible, promoting road safety, and enforcing road traffic legislation where necessary and proportionate.

"We want all road users to think about how they drive, consider the conditions of the road and assess their surroundings to reduce the risk of a fatal collision.

"Fatal collisions are heart-breaking. They are heart-breaking for the family, heart-breaking for the community, and heart-breaking for the responding emergency services staff who have to witness the tragedy and subsequent aftermath – all made worse knowing that many could have been prevented. We want people to think about how they use the road network and how they can do it safely."

Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service's Road Safety Manager Andy Gray said: "Stopping any more deaths from occurring as a result of something unnecessary and totally avoidable is a top priority for Cheshire's emergency services.

"By joining with other forces across the six borders we are visibly highlighting our commitment to reducing road deaths by educating those who use our roads so that they can stay safe and keep others safe."

David Keane, Police and Crime Commissioner for Cheshire, said: "Keeping Cheshire residents safe on our roads is one of my key priorities and I am committed to continuing to work with Cheshire Constabulary and partner agencies to reduce the number of serious incidents on our roads and motorways.

"It is really pleasing to see this cross border operation being carried out by so many forces and I hope to see similar operations in the future as part of our combined efforts to improve road safety."