Police in Kirkcaldy say they have successfully put the brakes on rogue motorcyclists.
Sergeant Jimmy Adamson has told The Courier the number of complaints received about the illegal use of off-road motorbikes and quads has halved following Operation Fireblade.
The initiative was launched in March following years of complaints from residents whose lives had been plagued by illegal riding.
With most of the offences taking place in parks, Mr Adamson said that tackling the problem was potentially a matter of life or death.
“Nuisance behaviour with quads and off-road bikes has been a growing problem in Kirkcaldy, particularly in the Dunnikier and Templehall areas,” he said.
“But it looks like we are getting the better of it thanks to Operation Fireblade.
“We usually see a steady increase in calls to us during the spring and summer months from members of the public reporting this nuisance behaviour.
“However, this year we have seen fewer and fewer calls with only 26 in May, June and July compared to 98 in the same three months of last year.”
Many of Kirkcaldy’s parks and public spaces have been blighted by the illegal riding of motorbikes and quads in recent years.
As well as concerns over noise nuisance and antisocial behaviour, police also have long-standing concerns about riders using public roads without insurance.
Operation Fireblade has seen an increase in police patrols in affected areas, while the public have been encouraged to report sightings of illegal riding.
Those traced have had vehicles seized and even crushed in a further bid to deter those riding illegally.
Despite this success, police are still investigating an apparent hit-and-run incident near Dunnikier Golf Club on August 13, when a 63-year-old cyclist sustained minor injuries after being struck by an off-road motorcyclist.
Sergeant Adamson added: “I would like to thank the public for continuing to bring our attention to these incidents and the local media for publicising our campaign in March and April this year, showing the consequences of this crime.
“We will do our utmost to bring those guilty to justice and their bikes will be seized and destroyed.”