POLICE have issued a warning after ramps and bike tracks were found at a protected nature site in Flintshire.
Buckley Claypits and commons on the outskirts of the town is a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) due to the presence of newts.
North Wales Police's Rural Crime Team said it has been made aware that unknown persons have been making ramps and bike tracks upon the site.
The site has now been repaired thanks to the work of the local wildlife group that manage the site.
An inspection by a Natural Resources Wales ecologist found that the site alteration had not damaged the breeding areas of the protected species and no evidence of dead or injured newts was found.
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PC Dave Allen from the team said: “Thankfully the impact upon the site and newts appears to be minimal and my thanks go for the speediness in the repair of the site.
"I would ask that any persons that use the site to please continue to enjoy the nature on show. But to please be aware that it is a highly protected site due to the presence of Newts and any alteration or destruction of their habitat could lead to an NWP/NRW investigation.”
If you have any information, the Rural Crime Team can be contacted via the live web chat on the North Wales Police website and the reference is Q077898.
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