RESIDENTS in Rishton have criticised the police after nuisance mini-motorbike riders stilll plague the town despite a ‘crackdown’ on them.

Despite warnings from police that illegal riders will have their bikes crushed, people said that they have been kept awake at night by youngsters riding bikes in the early hours of the morning.

One youth was pictured on a motorcross bike along Talbot Street without a helmet, while others have been spotted in Parker Street and by the canal.

The problem was prioritised by neighbourhood police at a PACT meeting last month but the problem continued.

And now police are calling for residents to pass on any information about the problem so that they can catch the culprits.

Rishton resident Paul Wilkinson said: “We were by the canal fixing the gate and one went past us.

“They are a nuisance and we have already have a dog killed on the tow path.

“Another dog was injured. They don’t slow down when they go past somebody.”

Mr Wilkinson criticised the police for their lack of efforts in catching the riders.

And Jackie Waring, of Parker Street said: “If you’re asking if they are cracking down on them it does not appear to be happening.”

And referring to a picture of a youth riding a bike down Talbot Street without a helmet, which was uploaded to Facebook, Mrs Waring, 55, asked: “If people can get that evidence, why can’t the police get it themselves?

PCSO Mark Skoczen said: “We have patrolled the area during peak times in plain clothes and uniform so we are doing something about it.

“I appeal for people to give us the best description of the riders , the description of the bikes and any other infor-mation that can help us.”