Road policing officers in Norfolk yesterday began spot-checks on motorcyclists in a bid to clamp down on dangerous behaviour - including people speeding at up to 125mph and others pulling wheelies on public roads.

Road policing officers in Norfolk yesterday began spot-checks on motorcyclists in a bid to clamp down on dangerous behaviour - including people speeding at up to 125mph and others pulling wheelies on public roads.

The two-week campaign, which is being run by Norfolk police's central area road policing unit, aims to reinforce safety messages in a bid to prevent serious and fatal road traffic collision involving motorcyclists.

More than 60 motorcyclists have been injured in road traffic collisions in Norwich, Broadland and South Norfolk since January 1 this year. In the last two weeks, 23 motorcycles have been stopped for speeding in the same area. This included one travelling at 125mph.

Insp Jeff Anderson said: “While the vast majority of motorcycle riders use their vehicles within the law, a minority abuse it; they are the ones who ride at excessive speed, overtake when approaching blind bends, or over solid white lines in the centre

of the road and those who pull 'wheelies'.

“Additionally, there are those riders with illegal miniature number

plates and provisional licence holders who do not display L plates.”

In 2006, nine motorcyclists died and 427 were seriously on the county's roads. And in 2005, eight died and 455 were seriously injured. So far this year there have been three deaths in the county.

Officers will be concentrating their efforts on promoting road safety among all motorcyclists, including stop checks for driving documents and to detect offences.

Police are also urging drivers of other vehicles to be vigilant and alert to the presence of motorbikes.