POLICE are giving hooligans on high-powered bikes and scooters the run-around.

Warrington residents have complained their parks and pathways are beset with youngsters on mini-motorbikes, quad-bikes and petrol-driven scooters.

But the petrol-driven machines, which can travel at 30mph and are banned from public pathways, have proved tricky for patrol officers to apprehend.

Now Cheshire Police have decided to equip two officers with top-of-the-range scrambler bikes.

During the summer holidays, extra police and community support officers have been patrolling four Warrington parks - Sankey Valley Park, Bennett's Recreation Ground, Orford Park and Birchwood Forest Park.

Previously, nuisance riders were able to slip in and out of the town's parks with ease.

Help

But now patrols who spot riders illegally using public pathways can call on their scrambler bike colleagues for help in catching them.

Police community support officer Kath Harkin, co-ordinating the operation, said the scheme was helping reclaim open spaces for walkers and joggers.

She said: "We are finding some young people are using anything from mini-motorbikes to big scrambler bikes in an anti-social way with no consideration for pedestrians. I have just received a report of a lady and her daughter who had to jump out of the way because a bike nearly knocked them down.

"Some of these bikes have 100cc engines and could cause a lot of harm. Their not supposed to be driven in areas where people walk."

Since the operation began in May, 15 nuisance riders have been issued with warning notices, which will see their bikes confiscated if they continue to ride in prohibited areas.

A further 23 youths have been spoken to by officers after being caught riding in public areas.

As part of the scheme, officers have also been giving youngsters information about nearby tracks specially put aside for scooter use.

Are you plagued by scooters and mini-bikes in your area? Have your say.