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CRUSHING BLOWS: PCSOs James Pittuck, Rob Fraser and Dave Harrison with some of the machines confiscated in Corringham and Stanford-le-Hope.

POLICE in Thurrock have warned owners of mini-motorbikes, scramblers and quad bikes to ride sensibly and legally or face having their machines confiscated and crushed.

Dozens of bikes were seized last summer after riders ignored traffic laws to ride on public roads and pavements or caused a nuisance by going off-road on recreation grounds, footpaths and open common land.

And as summer weekends and longer evenings approach police will again be on the look-out to curb the nuisance riders.

The increased popularity of the mini and midi motorbikes, quads and dirt bikes has meant that the riders, often children and teenagers, are tempted to ride them wherever they wish.

As a result, complaints about reckless and dangerous riding have soared in districts of Thurrock that have wide networks of public footpaths and common land. Some areas have also attracted riders from London boroughs and other parts of Essex.

Various operations are being planned to tackle nuisance riders and police officers and police community support officers (PCSOs) will be keeping watch during their routine patrols.

PCSO Rob Fraser, who organised several successful operations in the Corringham and Stanford-le-Hope areas last year, said that action was taken following a growing number of complaints from the public.

"In some cases walkers had to jump out of the way of bikes being ridden at speed along rural footpaths or over recreation grounds," said PCSO Fraser. "We also seized some machines being ridden on public roads and pavements. In just a few months seven machines were confiscated and crushed."

Few riders realise that the bikes can be used on private land only with the land owner's permission. So if they go for an unauthorised ride on private fields or on public common land, footpaths and bridleways they can be guilty of an offence.

Police officers and PCSOs will warn a rider for the first offence of riding in a way that causes alarm, distress or annoyance. But they can also seize the machine if an offender breaks the law again within 12 months.

A bike, mini moto or scooter might be returned for a payment of £105 plus a storage fee of £12 a day. If the owner fails to pay up within 21 days the machine will be taken to a scrap yard and crushed.

There are other strict rules and regulations if the machines are used in a public place - which means anywhere where the public has open access. These include roads, car parks (including those at shopping centres and retail parks), public parks, recreation grounds and open spaces.

In these places a scrambler or mini moto can be confiscated immediately if the rider doesn't have a licence, L-plates (if a provisional licence holder) or insurance. The machine must also be registered and taxed and fitted with number plates. The rider must also wear a crash helmet.

6:24am Friday 9th May 2008

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