Crime is out of control at Hawke's Bay's Ngaruroro River.

Escalating crime at Hawke's Bay's Ngaruroro River has forced the closure of four of its access points.

The regional council has decided to limit vehicle access at four locations, and gates have been installed at Ormond Road, in a bid to control it.

Rivers engineering officer Vincent Byrne says local fire crews have attended at least six fires in the area in the last two months.

He said he has witnessed cars being stolen and has been threatened countless times.

"Rubbish dumping, vandalism, stock theft so it's just been an ongoing issue that has escalated out of control."

Byrne said staff are sick of dealing with the damaging behaviour and have also had to clean up drug paraphernalia

"This has been done very reluctantly, and I am very sorry to see it having to occur, but the pressure has just become so great that we don't see an alternative."

The river can still be accessed on foot but not by vehicles.

The regional council is advising access at other rivers is also likely to be limited over the coming months.