YOUTHS riding mini-motorbikes without a licence on footpaths will have their bikes seized, police have warned.

There have been 39 reports of nuisance riders tearing down Spring Street and along the canal towpath in Rishton since the start of the year.

Police have the power to seize vehicles “causing, or likely to cause, alarm, distress or annoyance to members of the public” and have already seized two bikes.

PCSO Steve Charnley, of Rishton neighbourhood policing team, said offenders could also face court action.

He said: “If we catch somebody on a public footpath there will be no warning, we’ll take the bike off them. If we think it’s worth going down the court route, we’ll do that as well.”

It is against the law to use a mini moto in public parks, open spaces, or on footpaths, pavements, cycle routes and bridleways.

It is an offence to use one on a footpath to pass from one piece of private land to another.

Under-16s can ride on private land with the permission of the land owner, while over-16s can ride on the roads if they meet a series of criteria including having a licence, tax, insurance, helmet, number plate, brake lights, an audible warning instrument, indicators and lights if used at night.

Rishton councillor Ken Moss said the bikes, which can reach speeds of up to 60mph, were cheap to buy, often unlicensed and a perennial problem during the summer months.

He said: “People are riding them on footpaths without a licence.

“It happens at all hours of the day and night and they’re very loud. People are getting quite wound up about it. We are not trying to be killjoys but footpaths are not some-where to ride motor-bikes. Last year a dog was killed on the canal towpath because of joyriders. Police have been serving section 59 orders, which gives them the power to seize the bikes. The fine is usually so heavy it’s not worth getting them back.”

The cost of seizing and storing them often exceeds the price of mini-motorbikes.