Drones have been hovering over parts of Canterbury as part of a crackdown on unruly bikers.

The action - dubbed “operation invisible” by police - was launched after nuisance motorcyclists tore up parts of the city’s golf club in Littlebourne Road while players were teeing off last month.

Uniformed and plain-clothed officers worked with one of the force’s drone pilots to track off-road vehicles being ridden dangerously or in an anti-social manner in the area on Sunday.

During the operation an uninsured bike was seized and a number of suspects were handed official warnings.

Insp Paul Stoner told KentOnline: “We understand the impact of nuisance motorbikes and we will use every tool open to us to hold those responsible to account.

“We will continue to carry out operations of this kind and anyone found to be breaching the warnings issued this week can expect to face further action.”

The clampdown comes after Canterbury Golf Club chairman Steve Eeles revealed how his course had been targeted by yobs on motorcycles at least five times in the past three months.

The vandals left club members fearing for their safety and caused thousands of pounds of damage as they left tyre marks across the green following the incidents.

In the latest attack on February 11, golfers were playing on the 18th hole when bikers rode through, becoming abusive when confronted and performing doughnuts on the turf.

“The incident was much more serious as the riders had a total disregard for the golfers’ safety,” Mr Eeles said at the time.

“They have caused thousands, if not tens of thousands of pounds of damage and have left members, staff and local golfers feeling threatened.

“Despite reporting at least five such incidents to the police in the last three months, nothing appears to have been done.

“Our overriding concern is that members will take matters into their own hands in protecting themselves and what they feel is their property should they feel threatened.”

Senior officers insisted last month they were “focused on the issue”, stressing they will “intervene when issues are raised, seizing uninsured or unmarked bikes, as well as those ridden in an anti-social manner”.

They have since revealed nine people were issued with community protection warnings - which are designed to stop them from continued unruly behaviour - over the weekend.

Failure to comply with the orders can lead to a court summons and a potential fine.

It is understood the Ministry of Defence was involved in the crackdown as it owns land close by.