POLICE have warned motorcyclists about riding off-road bikes on footpaths, after officers confiscated a number of vehicles.

Police were alerted to motorcyclists riding along the footpaths in Warndon villages on Thursday (August 1).

Several officers from the Warndon, Gorsehill and Nunnery safer neighbourhood teams gathered and found a group of youths on the footpaths of the new Worcester Six Business Park.

Despite officers making several attempts to persuade the riders to stop, they ignored them and attempted to flee.

But the officers managed to stop two of the riders, both of whom were under 16, and their motorcycles were seized.

They are also being investigated for various driving offences as a result.

Officers have started recording motorcyclists as they flee on their body worn cameras, to catch offenders.

PC Allan Figueiredo said: “Over the past few months there has been an increase of off-road motorcycles being ridden on the footpaths and roads in and around Warndon villages, Worcestershire Royal Hospital and the woodland at County Hall.

“A majority of the reports state that the riders are not wearing any helmets or any other protective clothing.

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“Each time we have attended the reports the motorcyclists have either ridden off or have left the area.

“We have however continued to build an intelligence picture as to the routes being taken, who is riding the bikes and where they are congregating.

“We have also been recording the motorcyclists as they flee on our body worn cameras for use in any future cases when they are caught.”

PC Figueiredo added: “We do take this type of incident seriously as there is a risk of harm to pedestrians by the riders of these motorcycles being ridden on the footpaths.

“There is also a risk to the riders themselves due to the lack of protective equipment and also the fact that the motorcycles are often not roadworthy.

“I would like to remind the users of these motorcycles that we will continue to patrol and take every opportunity to prosecute those found committing these offences.

“We will also seize your motorcycle which will incur financial costs to the owners. I would also like to thank the residents who continually report this behaviour to the police.”