Cyclists 'threaten' visitors on Herefordshire Beacon

West Mercia Police said they will not tolerate abusive and offensive language to visitors on the Malvern Hills after reports of anti-social mountain bikers at British Camp, the Iron Age hill fort on the summit of the beacon.

Malvern Hills district councillor Paul Bennett said he felt threatened last week after he told three men they could not ride their mountain bikes on the fort.

There have been reports of antisocial mountain bikers at British Camp. (Image: Malvern SNT) Coun Bennett is one of a few who was abused for raising the same issue to bikers after it was revealed that Malvern Hills Trust has also been met with the same abuse. 

He claimed the men swore at and verbally abused him and it had led to appeals to install clear signage to protect British Camp and help deter bike riders and prevent any further damage to it. 

Malvern Safer Neighbourhoods Team (SNT) said it has received reports of antisocial mountain bikers at British Camp and will step up its patrols in the area as a result. 

PC Dave Olczak, from Malvern SNT, is working alongside the organisers of Malvern's Classic Mountain Bike Festival. (Image: Malvern SNT) A spokesperson for Malvern SNT said: "This area of the Malvern Hills is one that we patrol on a regular basis and will not tolerate abusive and offensive language from other users of the Hills. 

"We patrol on bikes most commonly, to allow us to cover a larger portion of the hills on a single patrol, but cover some areas on foot.

"Especially as some areas are not permitted for bikes.

British Camp in Malvern. (Image: Malvern SNT) "It is appreciated that cyclists occasionally accidentally stray from the approved areas for bikes, but we would encourage cyclists to familiarise themselves with the maps of the hills that are available for free from the Malvern Hills Trust.

"If asked to not cycle in an area, to appreciate that the Malvern Hills Trust staff are just doing their job and are enforcing the restrictions to keep the hills maintained and safe for everyone to enjoy."

British Camp is recognised as nationally important through its designation as a scheduled monument. 

Although there is one bridleway that skirts the lower slopes of British Camp above the reservoir, cycling elsewhere on the monument is not permitted. 

Coun Bennett said: "British camp won't exist eventually as every time people go with bikes there is further damage.

"We all need to make sure it isn't damaged, as we're custodians of the future. It's important we preserve it when we can, as it's a focal point for tourism for the entire area."