The Effingham County Sheriff’s Office has seen an increase in illegal use of all-terrain vehicles in Effingham County in the past few weeks, and deputies have stepped up patrols.

Sheriff Jimmy McDuffie said deputies will be enforcing county ordinances and state laws.

“There have been incidents where people driving these all terrain vehicles have gone on the property of other citizens causing damage to several fields,” he said.

Most of these reports have come from the Clyo area. In one incident, someone drove an ATV in a farmer’s field, causing more than $1,000 in damage to his property.

ECSO spokesman Detective David Ehsanipoor said deputies see an increase in ATV use complaints during the summer and also see an increase on ATV use on private property.

“Anyone found riding on someone else’s property or damaging their property will be prosecuted,” McDuffie said.

McDuffie added they also will prosecute ATV riders for being on roadways.